Military-related posttraumatic stress disorder and mindfulness meditation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Lu-Na Sun; Jing-Wen Gu; Li-Jun Huang; Zhi-Lei Shang; Yao-Guang Zhou; Li-Li Wu; Yan-Pu Jia; Nian-Qi Liu; Wei-Zhi Liu

Chinese Journal of Traumatology (Jul 2021)

Military-related posttraumatic stress disorder and mindfulness meditation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Lu-Na Sun,
Jing-Wen Gu,
Li-Jun Huang,
Zhi-Lei Shang,
Yao-Guang Zhou,
Li-Li Wu,
Yan-Pu Jia,
Nian-Qi Liu,
Wei-Zhi Liu

Affiliations

Lu-Na Sun: Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
Jing-Wen Gu: The Battalion 3 of Cadet Brigade, School of Basic Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
Li-Jun Huang: Department of Radiology, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University, Changshu, 215500, Jiangsu Province, China
Zhi-Lei Shang: Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
Yao-Guang Zhou: Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
Li-Li Wu: Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
Yan-Pu Jia: Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
Nian-Qi Liu: Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
Wei-Zhi Liu: Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; Department of Radiology, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University, Changshu, 215500, Jiangsu Province, China; Corresponding author. Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 24, no. 4
pp. 221 – 230

Abstract

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Purpose: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant global mental health concern, especially in the military. This study aims to estimate the efficacy of mindfulness meditation in the treatment of military-related PTSD, by synthesizing evidences from randomized controlled trials. Methods: Five electronic databases (Pubmed, EBSCO Medline, Embase, PsychINFO and Cochrane Library) were searched for randomized controlled trials focusing on the treatment effect of mindfulness meditation on military-related PTSD. The selection of eligible studies was based on identical inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information about study characteristics, participant characteristics, intervention details, PTSD outcomes, as well as potential adverse effects was extracted from the included studies. Risk of bias of all the included studies was critically assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. R Statistical software was performed for data analysis. Results: A total of 1902 records were initially identified and screened. After duplicates removal and title & abstract review, finally, 19 articles in English language with 1326 participants were included through strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results revealed that mindfulness meditation had a significantly larger effect on alleviating military-related PTSD symptoms compared with control conditions, such as treatment as usual, present-centered group therapy and PTSD health education (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.33; 95% CI [−0.45, −0.21]; p < 0.0001). Mindfulness interventions with different control conditions (active or non-active control, SMD = −0.33, 95% CI [−0.46, −0.19]; SMD = −0.49, 95% CI [−0.88, −0.10], respectively), formats of delivery (group-based or individual-based, SMD = −0.30, 95% CI [−0.42, −0.17], SMD = −0.49, 95% CI [−0.90, −0.08], respectively) and intervention durations (short-term or standard duration, SMD = −0.27, 95% CI [−0.46, −0.08], SMD = −0.40, 95% CI [−0.58, −0.21], respectively) were equally effective in improving military-related PTSD symptoms. Conclusion: Findings from this meta-analysis consolidate the efficacy and feasibility of mindfulness meditation in the treatment of military-related PTSD. Further evidence with higher quality and more rigorous design is needed in the future.

Published in Chinese Journal of Traumatology

ISSN: 1008-1275 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/chinese-journal-of-traumatology/

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