Evaluation of a Yoga Intervention for PTSD

Abstract

Objective: This pilot study was designed to ascertain whether yoga is a feasible and effective intervention to reduce PTSD symptoms in service men and women with PTSD. Methods: Active-duty or veteran military service men and women were recruited through public advertising and VA patient populations. The yoga intervention was a 10-week, twice-weekly, 90- minute yoga intervention, with a 15-minute daily home practice. The primary outcome measure is the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) at pre- and post-intervention. Results: The single armed trial cohorts of subjects (n = 10) have completed the intervention and the CAPS at baseline and post-treatment. Mean change was 18.2, indicating a statistically (t = 2.822; p = .019) and clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms with a 25% drop on CAPS scores. The group mean of CAPS scores at baseline was M = 70.40 (SD = 21.60), which fell in the severe PTSD symptomatology range. Post-intervention, mean CAPS score was M = 52.20 (SD = 24.10), which fell in the moderate/PTSD threshold range. Effect sizes fall into the range of existing treatments. Recruitment and treatment is continuing with a randomized controlled trial design using a waitlist control group. Conclusion: These data suggest that yoga is feasible and efficacious for PTSD treatment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA553895

Entities

People

  • Sat B. Khalsa

Organizations

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Biomedical Research
  • Data Analysis
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Electronic Mail
  • Health Services
  • Information Operations
  • Intervention
  • Military Operations
  • Pilot Studies
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.