Loving-kindness meditation is a practice designed to enhance feelings of kindness and compassion for self and others. Loving-kindness meditation involves repetition of phrases of positive intention for self and others. We undertook an open pilot trial of loving-kindness meditation for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Measures of PTSD, depression, self-compassion, and mindfulness were obtained at baseline, after a 12-week loving-kindness meditation course, and 3 months later. Effect sizes were calculated from baseline to each follow-up point, and self-compassion was assessed as a mediator. Attendance was high; 74% attended 9-12 classes. Self-compassion increased with large effect sizes and mindfulness increased with medium to large effect sizes. A large effect size was found for PTSD symptoms at 3-month follow-up (d = -0.89), and a medium effect size was found for depression at 3-month follow-up (d = -0.49). There was evidence of mediation of reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression by enhanced self-compassion. Overall, loving-kindness meditation appeared safe and acceptable and was associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD and depression. Additional study of loving-kindness meditation for PTSD is warranted to determine whether the changes seen are due to the loving-kindness meditation intervention versus other influences, including concurrent receipt of other treatments.
95:274. PHYS THER. Carolyn A. McManus 1825. − . 2014;94:1816 Phys Ther Hannibal KE, Bishop MD. '' … On ''Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and pain http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/95/2/274.1 found online at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, can be Collections Psychosocial: Other Perspectives Pain in the following collection(s): This article, along with others on similar topics, appears e-Letters "Responses" in the online version of this article. "Submit a response" in the right-hand menu under or click on here To submit an e-Letter on this article, click E-mail alerts to receive free e-mail alerts here Sign up by Cheryl Marriott on March 23, 2015 http://ptjournal.apta.org/ Downloaded from by Cheryl Marriott on March 23, 2015 http://ptjournal.apta.org/ Downloaded from http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/95/2/274.1#BIBL free at: This article cites 4 articles, 2 of which you can access for Cited by http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/95/2/274.1#otherarticles This article has been cited by 1 HighWire-hosted articles: Information Subscription http://ptjournal.apta.org/subscriptions/ Permissions and Reprints http://ptjournal.apta.org/site/misc/terms.xhtml Information for Authors
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