Mindfulness and Metta-based Trauma Therapy (MMTT): Initial Development and Proof-of-Concept of an Internet Resource.

Paul Frewen,Nicholas Rogers,Les Flodrowski,Ruth Lanius

doi:10.1007/s12671-015-0402-y

Paul Frewen, Nicholas Rogers + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0402-y

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Journal: Mindfulness	Publication Date: Apr 9, 2015
Citations: 39	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Western University

Abstract

Trauma and stressor-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related comorbid disorders such as anxiety, depression, and dissociative disorders, are difficult to treat. Mindfulness-based clinical interventions have proven efficacy for mental health treatment in face-to-face individual and group modalities, although the feasibility and efficacy of delivering these interventions via the internet has not been evaluated. The present research developed mindfulness and metta-based trauma therapy (MMTT) as an internet resource to support the practice of mindfulness and metta (lovingkindness) meditations for self-regulation and healing from trauma and stressor-related disorders. In the present “proof-of-concept” study, research participants (n = 177) recruited online practiced mindfulness and metta meditations and related therapeutic exercises available via the website and rated their perceived credibility as interventions for improving self-regulation and well-being and reducing PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depressive, and dissociative experiences, as well as their experienced ease, helpfulness, and informational value. Results suggest that, independent of level of self-reported current and past psychiatric history and PTSD symptoms, participants considered the MMTT website as a credible and helpful therapeutic intervention for improving self-regulation and well-being and reducing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and dissociation. Overall, participants considered guided and non-guided meditation practices more helpful than a journaling exercise, and participants with increased PTSD symptoms preferred metta (lovingkindness) meditations less than other participants. We conclude that MMTT should be piloted in clinical trials as an adjunctive intervention to evidence-based treatments for persons with mood, anxiety, and trauma and stressor-related disorders, as well as more generally as an online resource to support self-regulation and well-being practices.

Highlights

Buddhist psychology recognizes suffering as a universal human experience, and modern clinical psychology research tends to agree that the majority of people worldwide are likely to encounter one or more traumatic events and/or relationships within their lifetime
The mindfulness and metta-based trauma therapy (MMTT) website we evaluated included four primary groups of interventions organized in a tabular structure: (1) journal, (2) Meditation Breath Attention Scores (MBAS) meditation timer, (3) guided meditations, and (4) psychoeducation/instructions
The present study developed and provided a Bproof-ofconcept^ evaluation of mindfulness and metta-based trauma therapy (MMTT) in the form of an internet resource intended to support meditation practices relevant to the treatment of trauma and stressor-related disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related comorbid disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and dissociation, as well as more generally for improving self-regulation and psychological well-being

Summary

Introduction

Buddhist psychology recognizes suffering as a universal human experience, and modern clinical psychology research tends to agree that the majority of people worldwide are likely to encounter one or more traumatic events and/or relationships within their lifetime. Complementing mindfulness-based interventions, metta meditation practices involve intentionally developing kindness and compassion as directed toward both oneself and others through the verbal rehearsal, visualization, and embodiment of positive intentions and aspirations (e.g., for freedom from enmity, mental and physical suffering, and for good will, joy, and peace) Such practices may be beneficial to PTSD treatment toward the aim of directly reducing trauma-related dysphoric experiences including shame, anhedonia, and emotional numbing, as well as for increasing resilience (reviews by Hinton et al 2013; Hofmann et al 2011; Thompson et al.2011). Our research aims were to evaluate the perceived credibility of the website content and interventions, broadly for improving self-regulation and well-being, as well as for treating PTSD and related comorbid symptoms of anxiety, depression, and dissociation

Participants

Procedure

Awareness

Acceptance and change

Results

Breath Meditation

Discussion