Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans With PTSD and Pain
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Chronic Pain, Chronic Pain, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Musculoskeletal, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 45 |
| Updated: | 2/7/2015 |
| Start Date: | September 2013 |
| End Date: | November 2015 |
| Contact: | Anthony R Rinaldi, M.A. |
| Email: | anthony.rinaldi@va.gov |
| Phone: | 203-932-5711 |
Mindful Yoga Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Veterans With PTSD and Pain
The primary objective of the current study is to establish the safety and acceptability of
Mindful Yoga Therapy as an adjunctive treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
chronic pain among OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. The current study also seeks to establish
preliminary efficacy of MYT for reduction of PTSD and chronic pain symptoms and explore
anxiety sensitivity as a mechanism of therapeutic action.
Mindful Yoga Therapy as an adjunctive treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
chronic pain among OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. The current study also seeks to establish
preliminary efficacy of MYT for reduction of PTSD and chronic pain symptoms and explore
anxiety sensitivity as a mechanism of therapeutic action.
PTSD is a chronic, debilitating anxiety disorder associated with disability, functional
impairment, and a host of co-morbid physical and mental health conditions. Although several
treatments are successful in treating Veterans with PTSD, many Veterans fail to complete
these treatments and many others complete treatment without significant relief from
symptoms. Yoga is one integrative treatment option that has shown promise for a number of
physical and mental health conditions, including the treatment of depressive, and anxiety
disorders in civilian samples, and chronic pain in Veterans. Yoga is widely offered in
Veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD Treatment Programs, yet there is a lack of research on its
efficacy for PTSD in Veterans.
Mindful Yoga Therapy (MYT) is a 12-week treatment protocol incorporating meditation,
breathing exercises, mindful movement practice, and guided rest (yoga nidra) that has been
developed specifically for Veterans with PTSD. This pilot clinical trial will examine the
efficacy of MYT with baseline, 12 week, and 24 week follow-up assessments that will include
diagnostic, neurocognitive, and psychophysiological measures conducted by a research team
member blinded to the study purpose.
impairment, and a host of co-morbid physical and mental health conditions. Although several
treatments are successful in treating Veterans with PTSD, many Veterans fail to complete
these treatments and many others complete treatment without significant relief from
symptoms. Yoga is one integrative treatment option that has shown promise for a number of
physical and mental health conditions, including the treatment of depressive, and anxiety
disorders in civilian samples, and chronic pain in Veterans. Yoga is widely offered in
Veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD Treatment Programs, yet there is a lack of research on its
efficacy for PTSD in Veterans.
Mindful Yoga Therapy (MYT) is a 12-week treatment protocol incorporating meditation,
breathing exercises, mindful movement practice, and guided rest (yoga nidra) that has been
developed specifically for Veterans with PTSD. This pilot clinical trial will examine the
efficacy of MYT with baseline, 12 week, and 24 week follow-up assessments that will include
diagnostic, neurocognitive, and psychophysiological measures conducted by a research team
member blinded to the study purpose.
Inclusion Criteria:
- OIF/OEF/OND Veteran
- Ages 18-45
- A willingness to participate in yoga and ability to commit to two 75-minute sessions
per week for 12 weeks.
- Currently enrolled (under active care) at the PTSD firm or the MST group at VACHS,
West Haven
- Participants will meet clinical criteria of PTSD (DSM-IV-TR)
- Comorbid conditions, including substance abuse/dependence will be allowed except as
noted under exclusion criteria.
- Veteran with combat exposure or military sexual trauma during deployment(s).
- Non-cancer pain score (NRS pain score > 4 on a 0-10 scale whereby 0=no pain and
10=worst pain imaginable) and presence of pain for >3 consecutive months
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any diagnosis of current comorbid psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder
- Active SI/HI
- Primary and only pain complaint as headache disorder
- A regular yoga or meditation practice in past month (more than twice weekly)
- Participants with significant limitations or injuries (Potential participants with
significant limitations or injuries will be evaluated on an individual basis by
research team and the yoga therapists.)
- Inability to speak or read English
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VA Connecticut Healthcare System VA Connecticut encompasses an inpatient facility and Ambulatory Care Center in...
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