virtual mantram program for patients with ptsd and sud

Conditions: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Substance Use Disorders

Summary: the purpose of this study is to evaluate a virtual mantram repetition program for adults with ptsd and substance use disorders. the program involves repetition of a personalized mantram, which is a word or short phrase with spiritual meaning that is frequently repeated throughout the day. the program also involves slowing down thoughts and have one-pointed attention that help with stress.

the purpose of this study is to evaluate a virtual mantram repetition program for adults with ptsd and substance use disorders. the program involves repetition of a personalized mantram, which is a word or short phrase with spiritual meaning that is frequently repeated throughout the day. the program also involves slowing down thoughts and have one-pointed attention that help with stress. the study starts with an eligibility and baseline assessment, which involves completing a series of questionnaires. following these assessments, enrolled participants will be placed into a mantram repetition program group led by two facilitators. this group will consist of 5 to 8 participants who will meet virtually every week for ninety minutes over an 8-week period. during this time, participants will also be asked to complete weekly self-reported questionnaires on their own. additionally, at weeks 4 and 8, the participants will complete assessments and questionnaires with a member of the study team. the program will end after week 8. at week 12, participants will be invited to participate in a focus group to complete additional assessments, as well as be asked open-ended questions assessing the impact of the program on ptsd symptoms, substance use, and substance use cravings. in summary, the mantram group program will take 8 weeks to complete and the assessments will take approximately 12 weeks to complete. participants will receive compensation of up to $200 for their participation.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * participants 18-years old or older * fluent in english * diagnosed with ptsd by a healthcare practitioner confirmed with the clinician-administered ptsd scale for dsm-5 (caps-5 past month version) * diagnosed with past-year substance use disorder other than tobacco or caffeine by a healthcare practitioner confirmed by structured clinical interview for dsm-5 (scid-5) * agreed not to participate in other therapies during the program (mindfulness, yoga, biofeedback, self-hypnosis or tai chi) * willing to commit to attend all sessions exclusion criteria: * diagnosis of a severe or unstable medical illness that precludes safe participation in the study by a healthcare practitioner * diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder; or current acute psychosis or mania by a healthcare practitioner * participants with moderate or high risk of suicide upon screening by the columbia suicide severity rating scale (c-ssrs) * have an inability to communicate in english fluently enough to complete the questionnaire.

Keywords: post traumatic stress disorder ptsd trauma substance use disorder sud substance abuse mantram group therapy