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Kripalu Yoga for Military Veterans With PTSD: A Randomized Trial
Author(s) -
Reinhardt Kristen M.,
Noggle Taylor Jessica J.,
Johnston Jennifer,
Zameer Abida,
Cheema Seetal,
Khalsa Sat Bir S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22483
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , psychology , clinical psychology , population , military personnel , psychiatry , intervention (counseling) , posttraumatic stress , active duty , physical therapy , medicine , environmental health , political science , law
Objectives This randomized controlled trial of yoga for military veterans and active duty personnel with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) evaluated the efficacy of a 10‐week yoga intervention on PTSD. Method Fifty‐one participants were randomized into yoga or no‐treatment assessment‐only control groups. Primary outcome measures included questionnaires and the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale. Results Both yoga ( n = 9) and control ( n = 6) participants showed significant decreases in reexperiencing symptoms, with no significant between‐group differences. Secondary within‐group analyses of a self‐selected wait‐list yoga group ( n = 7) showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms after yoga participation, in contrast to their control group participation. Consistent with current literature regarding high rates of PTSD treatment dropout for veterans, this study faced challenges retaining participants across conditions. Conclusion These results are consistent with recent literature indicating that yoga may have potential as a PTSD therapy in a veteran or military population. However, additional larger sample size trials are necessary to confirm this conclusion.