FDA’s recent rejection of MDMA therapy for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is sparking discussions about alternative care options and how to best help patients with this condition. Mindfulness, especially mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), is one option to consider.
So what is mindfulness? It’s a practice that comes from Buddhist theory. It involves focusing the mind on present thoughts, emotions, and feelings without judgment – various mind-body techniques are used to develop this focus and awareness. MBSR is a well-studied and standardized mindfulness practice. The 8-week program is led by a certified instructor, including weekly 2.5-hour group meetings, a day-long retreat, and daily homework assignments.
Most research suggests that mindfulness is effective for reducing PTSD symptoms. One meta-analysis of clinical studies in patients with PTSD shows that mindfulness-based treatments, including MBSR, modestly improve symptoms – and longer interventions seem to offer the most benefit. One meta-analysis of clinical research evaluating MBSR specifically shows that PTSD symptoms are reduced by a moderate to large amount when compared with various controls, although a separate clinical trial suggests that benefits from MBSR may be subjective.
If patients are seeking help for PTSD, explain that mindfulness is a worthwhile option for those who haven’t responded well to conventional treatments, and there’s no reason to expect any adverse effects. But remind patients that mindfulness is called a “practice” for a reason. Patients will need to practice regularly to consistently see the benefits.
Check out our Mindfulness monograph and our new interactive CE course on Alternative Modalities for Mental Health to learn more.
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