Trial results for a pilot virtual mindfulness-based intervention aimed at improving Veterans' health, specifically targeting Depression, were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-01-28. The intervention group showed a mean Patient Health Questionnaire score of 6.4, compared to 7.3 in the control group.

Background

Depression is a significant mental health concern, particularly among Veterans, often impacting their ability to reintegrate into civilian life and maintain overall well-being. Traditional treatments include psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, but there is ongoing interest in complementary approaches like mindfulness-based interventions. Mindfulness practices, which focus on present-moment awareness, have shown promise in managing depressive symptoms and improving psychological flexibility. Developing accessible, virtual interventions is particularly relevant for Veterans who may face barriers to in-person care, such as geographical distance, stigma, or mobility issues. This pilot study aimed to explore the potential of such an intervention to not only reduce depressive symptoms but also to support community reintegration.

Trial design

This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 36 participants with Depression. The trial's purpose was to test a mindfulness-based intervention, named RECLAIM, delivered virtually. The intervention aimed to reduce depressive symptoms and improve Veterans' community reintegration. Participants were divided into two groups: the RECLAIM/Intervention group, which received the virtual mindfulness-based intervention, and the Psychoeducation Materials Only/Control Group, which received general psychoeducation materials.

Key results

The trial reported several key measurements for both the intervention and control groups:

What this means

The results of this pilot study suggest that a virtual mindfulness-based intervention may have a positive impact on depressive symptoms in Veterans. The lower mean Patient Health Questionnaire score of 6.4 in the intervention group compared to 7.3 in the control group indicates a potential reduction in depressive symptom severity. While other measures like the Military to Civilian Questionnaire and Pain, Enjoyment, General Activity showed similar scores between groups, the intervention group reported a higher mean score on one facet of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (12 vs. 10), suggesting increased mindfulness. Conversely, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale showed a higher mean score in the intervention group (10.4 vs. 7.6). As a pilot study with a small enrollment of 36 participants, these findings warrant further investigation in larger, more definitive trials to confirm efficacy and explore the broader implications for Veteran mental health and community reintegration.

Source

The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05975008, titled "Pilot Testing a Virtual Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Improve Veterans' Health", were posted on 2026-01-28 on clinicaltrials.gov.