title: Multi-site evaluation of a complementary, spiritually-based intervention for Veterans: The Mantram Repetition Program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mental and physical symptoms affect Veterans' quality of life. Despite available conventional treatments, an increasing number of Veterans are seeking complementary approaches to symptom management. Research on the Mantram Repetition Program (MRP), a spiritually-based intervention, has shown significant improvements in psychological distress and spiritual well-being in randomized trials. However, these findings have not been replicated in real-world settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this naturalistic study, we analyzed outcomes from 273 Veterans who participated in MRP at six sites and explored outcomes based on facilitator training methods. Measures included satisfaction and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18; Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being questionnaire; and the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant improvements in all outcomes (p's < .001) regardless of how facilitators were trained. Patient satisfaction was high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MRP was disseminated successfully yielding improvements in psychological distress, spiritual well-being, and mindfulness.
authors: VA San Diego Center of Excellence for Stress & Mental Health (CESAMH), San Diego, CA, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Melissa M
authors: MM
authors: Buttner
authors: VA San Diego Center of Excellence for Stress & Mental Health (CESAMH), San Diego, CA, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA; University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing & Health Science, San Diego, CA, USA. Electronic address: Jill.Bormann@va.gov.
authors: Jill E
authors: JE
authors: Bormann
authors: VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Kimberly
authors: K
authors: Weingart
authors: VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Taylor
authors: T
authors: Andrews
authors: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Marjorie
authors: M
authors: Ferguson
authors: VA San Diego Center of Excellence for Stress & Mental Health (CESAMH), San Diego, CA, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Niloofar
authors: N
authors: Afari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Complementary therapies; Dissemination; Mindfulness; Program evaluation; Relaxation techniques; Veterans