Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Therapy on Veterans with PTSD

According to a recent VA study, mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy can be more successful on the effects of PTSD in veterans than other group therapy options.

A group of 116 random veterans at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis were assigned to one of two different therapies as follows:

•     Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy, a growing alternative treatment for PTSD: 8 sessions of mindful stress reduction techniques and meditation (2.5 hours weekly), along with a daylong retreat.
•    Present-centered therapy, a standard form of therapy for PTSD: 9 sessions of group therapy (1.5 hours weekly) that emphasized coping with PTSD symptoms in daily life.

In the study, 49% of veterans with the first kind of therapy were found to have a significant reduction in their PTSD symptoms; whereas, only 28% in the second group reported a noticeable improvement.

So, what is mindfulness training?

• Techniques that encourage veterans to confront painful memories they would otherwise be inclined to avoid.
• It includes meditation and breathing exercises that can be done just about anywhere.
• The overarching focus is on being mindful of the present and being aware in everything they do.
• Researchers intend it as either an alternative or supplemental treatment to other PTSD therapies.

More research is necessary to know the full effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy and how its implementation in the VA community would work best. But since PTSD affects around 23% of new-era veterans, this study is important to the ongoing conversation about the condition and its long-term effects.

If you’re a veteran suffering from PTSD or another service-connected ailment and you believe you could be eligible for disability benefits, the West Virginia Veterans Benefits Lawyers of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, can help.

When it comes to the benefits you deserve, we won’t take no for an answer.

To schedule your free first meeting with us, call 877-526-3455 or fill out our online contact form.