A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Meditation Compared to Exposure Therapy and Education Control on PTSD in Veterans

Abstract

This single-blinded, RCT will: 1) evaluate effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) vs. Prolonged Exposure (PE) and PTSD health education control (EC), using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) (primary outcome); 2) evaluate effects of TM vs. controls on PTSD symptoms (PCL-M), depressive symptoms and other psychological distress measures, quality of life, and physiological/biochemical stress markers; and 3) evaluate treatment compliance. The study will enroll 210 subjects (70 per group). The VA San Diego is the field site with testing conducted at 0 and 3 months The research will provide data on the feasibility and efficacy of TM as an alternative therapy for PTSD. Our collaborative group (Maharishi University of Management Research Institute, VA San Diego Healthcare System, University of California at San Diego) has made excellent progress. We are currently on target for randomization, with 157 subjects randomized (target of 162) and have good treatment compliance, with over 70% treatment sessions attended. Post-testing compliance is greater than 80%.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2015
Accession Number
AD1000969

Entities

People

  • Sanford Nidich
  • Thomas Rutledge

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Biomedical Research
  • Brain Injuries
  • California
  • Chi Square Test
  • Cognitive Impairment
  • Data Analysis
  • Delivery Of Health Care
  • Department Of Defense
  • Depression
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Education
  • Electronic Mail
  • Health Services
  • Quality Of Life
  • Therapy
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Clinical Trial Research.
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.