Mantram Repetition Versus Health Education for Veterans With PTSD and Chronic Pain

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic, non-malignant pain (CP) are prevalent and costly public health problems, especially among Veterans. Veterans with PTSD/CP utilize more healthcare, have higher rates of insomnia and other psychiatric conditions, increased risk of suicide, worse pain interference, and poorer psychological and social functioning than those with one or neither condition. Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) is a meditation-based treatment that involves silent repetition of a spiritual word combined with one-pointed attention and slowing down. Multiple trials demonstrate that MRP is broadly acceptable, and several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have supported its efficacy for PTSD in Veterans, primarily via reduced physiological arousal. MRP has not been well-tested among Veterans with CP.

Comorbid PTSD/CP affects approximately 3.8% of US military Veterans (450,000+ VHA service users). Integrative interventions for PTSD/CP are limited, current practices are often disorder-specific and do not confer benefits for all, and innovative treatments are needed to address the unique needs of Veterans with PTSD/CP. Thus, the target population of this study, Veterans with PTSD/CP, is a high priority VA population, and this project is well-aligned with numerous VHA initiatives, including VHA's Whole Health Initiative, Pain Directive, and Pain Management Strategy. Further, MRP is a VA developed product and is readily accessible.

To our knowledge, this is the first RCT of MRP to evaluate CP-related outcomes. In addition, there are currently few evidence-based psychosocial interventions, including complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches, that efficiently target both PTSD symptoms and CP interference in Veterans. Though the VA has emphasized the relevance of a Whole Health approach to Veteran's health care, there is only one recommended CIH approach for the treatment of both PTSD and CP. Furthermore, much of the current mantra meditation literature is limited by small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses, which are addressed here through randomization, use of adequate control conditions, and other procedures to reduce potential bias (e.g., blinded evaluators).

Specific Aims: (1) To evaluate the efficacy of Mantram Repetition Program for Veterans with comorbid PTSD and CP (MRPPP) compared to Health Education while Living with Pain (H.E.L.P.; health and wellness psychoeducation control) in decreasing PTSD symptom severity and pain interference across study period; (2) to examine hyperarousal and insomnia severity as treatment mechanisms that underpin observed changes in PTSD symptoms and pain interference; (3) evaluate the efficacy of MRPPP vs. H.E.L.P. on exploratory clinical outcomes of interest and potential moderators.

The proposed study is a randomized, controlled phase II trial with longitudinal assessments over a 26-week period at VA San Diego. MRPPP and H.E.L.P. will be delivered via telehealth in eight, 90- minute group intervention sessions among Veterans with PTSD/CP (n = 170). The primary outcomes are PTSD symptom severity and pain interference, assessed at 0, 5, 10, and 20 weeks. Secondary outcomes include mechanisms of treatment effect, including hyperarousal and insomnia severity. Exploratory aims will include additional potential outcomes of interest and moderators of treatment effects.

Findings from the proposed RCT will inform clinical practice and policy by investigating whether Mantram Repetition Program for PTSD + Pain (MRPPP) will improve treatment outcomes for Veterans. MRP is already being applied in multiple other settings, and dissemination and implementation of the adapted product would be straightforward. This work could ultimately lead to better care for Veterans, greater stakeholder satisfaction, and lower costs to VA.