title: Mindfulness and Metta-based Trauma Therapy (MMTT): Initial Development and Proof-of-Concept of an Internet Resource.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, 339 Windermere Rd (Room B3-264), London, ON N6A 5A5 Canada.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frewen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5A5 Canada.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, 339 Windermere Rd (Room B3-264), London, ON N6A 5A5 Canada.
authors.forename: Les
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flodrowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, 339 Windermere Rd (Room B3-264), London, ON N6A 5A5 Canada.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanius
keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Dissociation; Internet therapy; Meditation; Metta (lovingkindness); Mindfulness; Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)