Influence of adjuvant mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans - results from a randomized control study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as an add-on to standard citalopram treatment could reduce PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and stress in Iranian veterans.
Results Summary
MBCT significantly reduced PTSD symptoms (re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood, hyperarousal), depression, anxiety, and stress compared to the control group, suggesting it is an effective adjuvant to SSRI medication.
Population
Male Iranian veterans of the Iran-Iraq war with PTSD (mean age: 52.97 years).
Effective Dosage
MBCT delivered in weekly group sessions (specific mindfulness dosage not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | symptoms of PTSD | Iranian veterans of the Iran-Iraq war | - | significantly reduce | #1 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | symptoms of depression | Iranian veterans of the Iran-Iraq war | - | significantly reduce | #2 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | symptoms of anxiety | Iranian veterans of the Iran-Iraq war | - | significantly reduce | #3 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | symptoms of stress | Iranian veterans of the Iran-Iraq war | - | significantly reduce | #4 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | scores for PTSD (re-experiencing events, avoidance, negative mood and cognition, hyperarousal) | male veterans with PTSD | - | lower | #5 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | scores for depression | male veterans with PTSD | - | lower | #6 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | scores for anxiety | male veterans with PTSD | - | lower | #7 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram | decrease | scores for stress | male veterans with PTSD | - | lower | #8 |
Even 30 or more years after the end of a war, veterans can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the present study, we explored the influence on symptoms of PTSD among Iranian veterans of the Iran-Iraq war of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as add-on to a standard treatment with citalopram. Forty-eight male veterans with PTSD (mean age: 52.97 years) took part in this eight-week intervention study. Standard treatment for all patients consisted of citalopram (30-50 mg/day at therapeutic dosages). Patients were randomly assigned either to the treatment or to the control condition. Treatment involved MBCT delivered in group sessions once a week. Patients in the control condition met at the hospital with the same frequency and duration for socio-therapeutic events. At baseline and at study completion, patients completed questionnaires covering symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress. At study completion after eight weeks, scores for PTSD (re-experiencing events, avoidance, negative mood and cognition, hyperarousal), depression, anxiety, and stress were lower, but more so in the intervention than the control group. Data suggest that, as adjuvant to standard SSRI medication, MBCT is an effective intervention to significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress among veterans.