Exploring compassion meditation to help veterans with PTSD
Official title: Multi-site Feasibility of Compassion Meditation for Veterans with PTSD
Funded at Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego · NIH-10681296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how compassion meditation can help veterans with PTSD feel better and connect more with others, and it aims to see if this approach could be useful for a larger group in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $595,336 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT010332-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10681296 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans diagnosed with PTSD who are seeking alternative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or those who are not veterans may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of compassion meditation as a complementary approach to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The study aims to refine and evaluate a specific meditation protocol designed to enhance emotional well-being and social connectedness among participants. Through a series of phases, including qualitative and quantitative assessments, the research seeks to establish the feasibility of a larger trial that could provide insights into the effectiveness of this intervention for veterans suffering from PTSD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer veterans a new, effective method to manage and alleviate symptoms of PTSD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results for compassion meditation in enhancing emotional resilience, indicating potential for success in this approach for PTSD.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lang, Ariel J — Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
- Study coordinator: Lang, Ariel J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
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-
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Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
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-
Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.