Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga For PTSD in a Veteran Population

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Doyle.2017.pdf (285.88 KB)

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2017

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Abstract

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious medical and mental health issue currently faced by many veterans. The number of veterans diagnosed with PTSD is rising quickly. Existing treatments have not proven to be fully effective. The purpose of this study was to test Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (AVY), a breath-based yoga intervention, designed to improve the symptoms of PTSD and sleep quality in a veteran population. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental pilot study. Sixteen veterans who screened positive for PTSD were assigned to a ‘yoga group (treatment)’ or a ‘waitlist yoga group (control).’ Assessments were conducted for both groups at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Differences in pre and post-treatment self-report symptom survey data were compared. Treatment group and non-treatment group pre and post-treatment scores were also compared. Outcome measures were the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Intervention: The ‘yoga group’ was provided a one-month, eight-session, twice-a-week, 60-minute AVY intervention class adapted for all mobility levels. Results: At the conclusion of the study, 88% of the treatment group no longer met criteria for a provisional diagnosis of PTSD using the self-report PCL-5 and 88% no longer displayed moderate or severe clinical insomnia scores on the ISI. There was no change in the control group. Clinically significant reductions in the PCL-5 and ISI scores were shown in the treatment group. The control group showed no meaningful reduction in PCL-5 and ISI scores. Conclusions: Results of this study support existing evidence and demonstrate AVY

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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Ashtanga Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, Veterans, Yoga Breathing, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Ashtanga Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, Veterans, Yoga Breathing

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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12517/52

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2017