Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study
Brief Summary: PTSD is a common consequence of war, for soldiers and civilians. PTSD results in hyperarousal, avoidance, numbing, and re-experiencing, causing persistent decreased quality of life. Mindfulness involves the ability to bring attention to the present moment without judgment; this ability is correlated with measures of mental health. Within health care, mindfulness is taught as an 8-week course called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). MBSR is unstudied for PTSD. We propose to assess the feasibility of MBSR as an intervention for PTSD, since it may affect hypervigilance, avoidance, and reactivity associated with this disorder.

Specific Aims: Aim 1: Assess the feasibility of recruiting and retaining a sample of veterans with PTSD to complete a study protocol that involves randomization to usual care or usual care plus MBSR. Aim 2: Apply measures of PTSD symptom severity, depression and quality of life before and after randomization, to assess whether there is evidence of benefit and whether MBSR warrants further study for PTSD, and allow calculation of standardized effect sizes. Aim 3: Apply a validated measure of mindfulness before and after treatment. Aim 4: Explore the relationship between PTSD symptoms, mindfulness score, and frequency of meditation practice.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Have current PTSD (within the past 6 months) in response to crime victimization, including childhood sexual or physical abuse, or meet criteria for PTSD in response to combat;
* Have a CAPS score showing moderate to severe PTSD symptoms;
* They must either:

  1. Have had at least one unsuccessful attempt at treatment for PTSD with a SSRI and psychotherapy;
  2. Be a veteran with PTSD symptoms that have endured for no less than one year but no more than five years
* Be at least 18 years old;
* Must be generally healthy;
* Willing to remain overnight at the study site;
* Agree to have transportation home the morning after experimental sessions;
* Are willing to be contacted via telephone for all necessary telephone contacts;
* Must have a negative pregnancy test if able to bear children and agree to use an effective form of birth control;
* Are proficient in reading English;

Exclusion Criteria:

* Are pregnant or nursing, or are able to bear children and are not practicing an effective means of birth control;
* Weigh less than 50 kg or more than 105 kg;
* Are unable to give adequate informed consent;
* Prior use of "Ecstasy" (illicit drug preparations purported to contain MDMA) more than 5 times or at any time within the previous 6 months;
* Have a history of certain excluded medical disorders.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Must have PTSD

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active substance use
* Active suicidal ideations
* Borderline or antisocial personality disorder
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* experiences of organized violence/torture
* PTSD diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria:

* psychotic disorder
* neurological disease or seizures
* current drug/alcohol abuse
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* DSM-IV criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder related to childhood physical and/or sexual abuse by a care-giver
* At least one clear memory of the abuse
* Willing to have all assessments tape recorded and sessions video taped
* Willing to maintain any concurrent treatments for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Bipolar Disorder
* Eating Disorder
* Borderline Personality Disorder
* Active substance abuse or dependence
* Living with the abuser
* Self mutilation
* Pregnancy

Answer: B