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.

Overall, positive emotions increased, and enhancement of personal resources occurred over time. Further investigation of LKM for PTSD is warranted.

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