Felleman, B. I., Stewart, D. G., Simpson, T. L., Heppner, P. S., & Kearney, D. J. (2016). Predictors of depression and PTSD treatment response among veterans participating in mindfulness-based stress reduction. Mindfulness, 7(4), 886-895. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0527-7

There is growing interest regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions among Veterans who experience depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study used a sample of Veterans who participated in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to examine PTSD and depression outcomes and baseline predictors of response before and after treatment. Results suggested clinically significant reductions in both PTSD and depression symptoms posttreatment and at four months follow-up.

http://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0527-7

Mental health
Programming
Trauma
Veterans

Multiple branches

Veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Empirical Study
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Retrospective Study
Followup Study

Felleman, Benjamin I., Stewart, David G., Simpson, Tracy L., Heppner, Pia S., Kearney, David J.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are prevalent and often co-occur among veterans. There is growing interest in the effects of mindfulness-based interventions among veterans. This study examined PTSD and depression outcomes, and baseline predictors of response, among veterans who participated in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Participants included 116 veterans with PTSD before and after MBSR. Multilevel modeling assessed baseline predictors of change in PTSD and depressive symptoms. There were clinically significant reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms posttreatment and at 4 months follow-up. For PTSD, effect sizes were in the medium range posttreatment (d = −.63) and at follow-up (d = −.69), and for depression posttreatment (d = −.58) and at follow-up (d = −.70). Baseline PTSD was a significant predictor of slope (β = .03, p = .04) on PTSD outcomes; higher baseline PTSD predicted greater rate of reduction in symptoms. For depression (β = .04, p < .01,), those with severe or moderately severe depression exhibited the greatest rate of improvement. However, veterans with high symptom severity did remain symptomatic post-MBSR. These findings show preliminary support for MBSR in facilitating symptom reduction for veterans with severe PTSD and co-occurring depression.

Springer

Article
REACH Publication

Department of Psychology, Family and Community, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, BF
Department of Psychology, Family and Community, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, DGS
Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (CESATE), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, TLS
VA San Diego Health Care System, San Diego, CA, PSH
VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, DJK