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Objective: To systematically review outcomes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mind-body treatments for PTSD., Methods: Inclusion criteria based on guidelines for assessing risk of bias were used to evaluate articles identified through electronic literature searches., Results: Twenty-two RCTs met inclusion standards. In most of the nine mindfulness and six yoga studies, significant between-group effects were found indicating moderate to large effect size advantages for these treatments. In all seven relaxation RCT's, relaxation was used as a control condition and five studies reported significant between-group differences on relevant PTSD outcomes in favor of the target treatments. However, there were large within-group symptom improvements in the relaxation condition for the majority of studies., Conclusions: Although many studies are limited by methodologic weaknesses, recent studies have increased rigor and, in aggregate, the results for mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation are promising. Recommendations for design of future mind-body trials are offered., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: This study explored possible mechanisms through which symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were reduced in a randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of a yoga intervention with an assessment control., Method: We examined whether changes in psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and emotion regulation strategies (expressive suppression and reappraisal) were associated with posttreatment PTSD symptoms for 38 women with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition full or subthreshold PTSD., Results: Hierarchical linear regression models revealed that expressive suppression significantly decreased for the yoga group relative to the assessment control. Psychological flexibility increased significantly for the control but not yoga group. However, increases in psychological flexibility were associated with decreases in PTSD symptoms for the yoga but not control group., Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that yoga may reduce expressive suppression and may improve PTSD symptoms by increasing psychological flexibility. More research is needed to replicate and extend these findings., (Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.)

How might a practice that has its roots in contemplative traditions, seeking heightened awareness through meditation, apply to trauma-related mental health struggles among military veterans? In recent years, clinicians and researchers have observed the increasing presence of mindfulness in Western mental health treatment programs. Mindfulness is about bringing an attitude of curiosity and compassion to present experience. This review addresses the above question in a detailed manner with an emphasis on the treatment of military veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related psychopathology. In addition, the integration of mindfulness with current empirically supported treatments for PTSD is discussed with specific attention to directions for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mindfulness is increasingly conceptualized in terms of its regulatory function with research suggesting that mindfulness may have a salutary effect on psychological well-being. The present cross-sectional study of 514 college students (84% Caucasian and 62% females), using self-report questionnaires, tested a proposed model for understanding the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and depressive symptoms through three types of affect regulation: emotion regulation, mood regulation and self-regulation, as measured by positive emotions, mood regulation expectancies (i.e., perceived mood repair ability), and self-acceptance, respectively. Structural equation modeling revealed that the model fit the data well, with the relationship between mindfulness, as measured by the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and depressive symptoms, as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, fully mediated by the proposed regulatory processes. Higher levels of dispositional mindfulness were associated with higher levels of positive emotions, mood regulation expectancies, and self-acceptance, which in turn, were all inversely related to depressive symptoms. Self-acceptance emerged as the strongest mediator of mindfulness and depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest that mindfulness might serve a regulatory function by targeting low positive emotionality, poor mood regulation, and negative self-concept, risk factors implicated in the onset, development, and maintenance of depressive symptoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There is growing interest in expanding mental health treatment options for individuals suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mindfulness interventions encompass a family of approaches that are gaining popularity and empirical support. "Mindfulness interventions" is a broad umbrella term used in this article to encompass a diverse range of psychological and mind-body interventions that incorporate mindfulness practice as a core component. In this article, our primary aims are to (a) briefly define mindfulness and mindfulness interventions, (b) summarize recent randomized control trials on mindfulness interventions for PTSD, (c) highlight hypothesized mechanisms of these interventions (i.e., improved interoceptive awareness and arousal regulation, acceptance, and attentional control), and (d) offer clinical tips for practitioners aiming to incorporate or implement diverse mindfulness interventions with their clients. Throughout, we include clinical examples and applications from our work implementing mindfulness interventions with survivors of trauma experiencing PTSD. We conclude this article by offering potential directions for future research. Public Significance Statement: This narrative review discusses recent randomized control trial literature on mindfulness interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and highlights strategies for practitioners implementing these interventions. Additionally, it offers potential directions for future research to better understand the impact and mechanisms of mindfulness interventions for PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]