Mantram Repetition Meditation for Veterans With PTSD

The investigators conducted a prospective, parallel group, two-site, randomized clinical
trial on the therapeutic treatment efficacy of the Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) by
offering it as a stand-alone intervention, compared to an attention control condition of
Present Centered Therapy (PCT) in a diverse sample of Veterans with post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Primary outcomes included clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptom
severity. Secondary outcomes included insomnia, depression, anger, spiritual well-being, and
mindfulness. Veterans were were recruited from a variety of clinics, including primary care,
women's health, and specialty clinics in two geographical locations within the Department of
Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

Inclusion Criteria:

- 18 years of age or older

- Read and write English fluently

- Traumatic event related to military-duty, including combat, military training
accidents, and military sexual trauma

- Transportation to attend meetings and available to complete study protocols

- Stable dose and type of PTSD medications for at least 6 weeks (per chart review)

- Willing to track medication changes during study

Exclusion Criteria:

- Inability to give informed, voluntary consent

- Cognitive impairment sufficient to cause inability to complete the protocol

- Psychotic symptoms

- Dementia or other organic mental disorders that may cause inability to complete the
protocol

- Significant documented alcohol/substance abuse

- Presence of severe suicidal urges or intent

- Residence in a geographical area outside of San Diego County or Bedford,
Massachusetts area

- Current daily practice of any skills of any meditation-based program - including, but
not limited to:

- Transcendental Meditation (TM)

- Yoga

- Tai Chi

- Qi-Gong

- Vipassana or Insight Meditation

- Loving-Kindness or Compassion Meditation

- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or other mindfulness program

- Guided Imagery

- Mantram Repetition

- Passage Meditation

- Walking Meditation

- Zen or Buddhist meditation

- Self-hypnosis, Bio-feedback, etc.

- Other participant circumstances that, in the opinion of a consensus of the study
team, would interfere with the safety of prospective participants or their need for
treatment.