Sit, Breathe, Heal: Mindfulness for Post-Traumatic Stress

Adults who suffer from psychological distress after traumatic injury, either acute stress or PTSD, run the risk of delayed healing and poor health outcomes. In addition to a greater risk of chronic pain, there is also a significant cooccurrence with mood disorders and substance use. A literature review gathered high quality evidence supporting the use of mindfulness-based interventions to ameliorate symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress. Some of the endpoints with demonstrated efficacy that were explored in the studies in the literature review included mindfulness, resilience, self-compassion, pain, and inflammatory bio markers. Utilizing Richardson’s Metatheory of Resiliency and Resilience as a guide, a mindfulness-based intervention was developed for patients manifesting symptoms of post-traumatic stress at a pain clinic in the Phoenix area. IRB approval was granted through ASU in November 2023. The study participants attended a thirty-minute online mindfulness class and participated in a two week independent practice period supported by online guided meditations. Participants journaled about their experience during the practice period. The PCL-5 was administered before and after the intervention. Results of a two tailed paired samples t-test indicated statistical significance and a large effect size (p= 0.002, d= 2.29). The journal results were positive as well. The results of this intervention support the conclusions drawn from the literature review. Mindfulness can be effectively leveraged to ameliorate symptoms of post-traumatic stress.