Effect of mantram repetition on PTSD symptoms and quality of life in Veterans: A meta-analysis

Abstract: Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common debilitating psychological condition that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and can occur following a traumatic event that affects the physiological and biological functioning of people involved in the event. PTSD is often triggered by environmental factors and exposure to life-threatening and highly distressing events such as accidents, military combat, assault, or natural or human-caused disasters. There are many ways of treating PTSD, and one of them is the practice of mindfulness. Mantram repetition (MR) is a type of mindfulness intervention where sacred words are repeated often. They help bring calmness and focus while easing stress. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to examine the effects of mantram repetition (MR) on PTSD among veterans, and the secondary purpose is to explore the effects of MR on quality of life (QoL) in veterans with PTSD. Method: We searched 15 databases, and after careful selection, we found 12 studies that used MR intervention; only three studies examined the effect of MR on PTSD in randomized two-group studies. The same three studies examined the effect of MR on QoL. Results: The included studies demonstrated significant improvement in the symptoms of PTSD (g = 0.37) and quality of life (g = 0.31) in veterans after the intervention (p=.000 -.001).Discussion: The MR intervention demonstrated a promising result compared to other interventions for the management of PTSD and improved QoL in veterans. The participants in the intervention group reported a considerable decline in PTSD symptoms and improvement in the QoL scores. Implication for practice: Mantram repetition has shown clear significance in managing PTSD and other related conditions while also enhancing the quality of life for veterans. Its integration into nursing practice offers a promising approach within hospitals and other healthcare facilities due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and easy sustainability. This practice equips nurses with an effective tool to support patient well-being and recovery.

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