The Use of Meditation to Promote Resilience in Deployed Medical Personnel

Methodology

Single group repeated measures design with baseline and two monthly follow-up assessments. Military medical personnel used guided audio meditation minimum 10 minutes twice daily for 8 weeks during active deployment in Iraq. Measurements taken at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks using Perceived Stress Scale, Profile of Mood States, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

Key Findings

• 97% improvement in mood states from baseline to 8 weeks

• 48.9% reduction in perceived stress

• 25.5% reduction in anxiety

• 11.1% improvement in resilience scores

• 48.4% improvement in sleep quality, with benefits noted on first use

• All four outcome measures improved significantly (p<0.001) as early as 4 weeks

Clinical Results

All four outcome measures of mood disturbance, stress, anxiety and resilience improved significantly (p<0.001) as early as 4 weeks and continued to improve through 8 weeks. Demonstrated effective stress reduction strategy in deployed environment to maintain mental and physical well-being.

Full Study

This pilot study tested the effectiveness of a guided meditation audio intervention to decrease stress and anxiety and promote resilience in deployed military medical personnel. The mind/body framework of Dr. Herbert Benson was used to develop the protocol.

Military medical personnel assigned to the 47th Combat Support Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq were eligible to participate. Subjects were provided with an MP3 player preloaded with guided meditation exercises and instructed to perform the exercises a minimum of 10 minutes twice a day for eight weeks, maintaining a daily log.

Of 23 volunteers enrolled, 21 completed the study (52% male, 48% female; 52% officers, 48% enlisted; mean age 34 years). All four outcome measures of mood disturbance, stress, anxiety and resilience improved (p<0.001) as early as 4 weeks and continued to improve through 8 weeks. Sleep quality was also significantly improved (p<0.001), with positive sleep benefits noted on first use.

The guided meditation was well received by deployed military personnel. This low cost, simple and easy-to-adopt routine to reduce stress and anxiety is a strategy demonstrated to work in the deployed environment — achieving and maintaining mental and physical well-being, alleviating stress, and promoting resilience.

Research disclosure. The studies referenced on this page were conducted under Theracoustic™, a trading name of the same company and team behind WellAudio, using the same underlying audio therapy technology and methodology. WellAudio is a new consumer product built on this foundation. These studies were carried out prior to the launch of WellAudio and were not performed using this application specifically. Results reflect outcomes from clinical and institutional settings and may not be representative of individual consumer use.