A new study published in Psychiatry Research found that a yoga intervention improved self-reported symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) immediately following the intervention. However, interestingly, no improvement was seen when symptoms were evaluated by a physician. Read this also Fight stress and lifestyle diseases with these 6 simple yoga postures and breathing exercises
What are yoga interventions?
Originating in ancient India, yoga increases flexibility and strength and promotes relaxation. Some yoga practitioners have developed therapeutic programs aimed at providing mental health benefits. These programs are referred to as yoga interventions, and are used as complementary treatments to help individuals manage symptoms such as overarousal, intrusive thoughts, and emotional dysregulation.
What was the study about?
Study author Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of yoga-based interventions for PTSD. Their goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing PTSD symptoms. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, and its symptoms include flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, extreme arousal, and emotional numbness.
Researchers searched scientific publication databases for randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy or safety of yoga for individuals with PTSD. The search identified 20 eligible studies, which included a total of 954 participants with a mean age of 51 years. 60 percent of these participants were women. 16 studies were conducted in the US, and 12 included adult veterans. Six studies used Kripalu yoga, five used simplified Kundalini yoga, five used trauma-centered trauma-sensitive yoga, and the remaining studies used other types of yoga.
What the study found
The pooled results showed that yoga interventions significantly reduced self-reported PTSD symptoms immediately following the intervention. However, these effects did not persist over time. When PTSD symptoms were evaluated by a physician, yoga showed no significant improvement.
The yoga intervention also reduced depressive symptoms compared to the control groups, and these reductions were maintained over time. However, there was no significant reduction in anxiety symptoms or other types of symptoms.
“The findings demonstrate that yoga is a generally safe and well-tolerated intervention that can improve depressive symptoms in participants with PTSD and, to a lesser extent, may also improve PTSD symptoms. The results suggest TCTSY [trauma center trauma-sensitive yoga]Kundalini, Satyananda Yoga, and HYP [Holistic Yoga Program] “May be particularly efficacious compared to other types of yoga interventions and should be targeted in future research,” the study authors concluded.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
