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Date of Award
Spring 2020
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Elizabeth Masten, MS, PA-C
Abstract
Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can affect anyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. The current treatment guidelines for PTSD include psychological and pharmacological therapy. These therapies may not be available to everyone and compliance is a concern. This review investigates the use of yoga as adjunct treatment of PTSD symptoms in women age 18-65 who have post-traumatic stress disorder compared to conventional CBT and medication treatment alone.
Methods: A literature search using Google Scholar, Clinical Key, and PubMed was conducted in November 2018. Six articles were chosen by limiting inclusion criteria based on the date of publication, type of alternative therapy, time-frame, and participant age and gender. These articles were analyzed and then compared.
Results: Each study was a form of randomized control trial (RCT) and compared a yoga intervention to a control group in participants who had at least subthreshold PTSD. Each report found at least one statistically significant improvement in the outcome measurement used to examine PTSD. Some studies also found statistically significant improvement for the control group. One study provided long-term follow up of the participants.
Discussion: The majority of the studies aside from one had marginal sample sizes with adequate recruitment strategies and timeline. The outcome measures differed among the studies so they cannot be directly compared or fully confirm the topic in question. However, there were clinically significant improvements in outcomes with no reported negative outcomes in each of the studies.
Conclusion: Although the results of the study cannot fully be confirmed despite some statistically significant findings, the clinical significance and lack of adverse outcomes indicate that yoga should still be considered as adjunct therapy as many people are unable to tolerate or access pharmacological or psychotherapeutic treatment.
Recommended Citation
Schilling, Rebecca, "Efficacy of yoga as adjunct treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder compared to cognitive behavioral therapy and medication treatment alone" (2020). Capstone Showcase. 22.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2020/pa/22
Efficacy of yoga as adjunct treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder compared to cognitive behavioral therapy and medication treatment alone
Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can affect anyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. The current treatment guidelines for PTSD include psychological and pharmacological therapy. These therapies may not be available to everyone and compliance is a concern. This review investigates the use of yoga as adjunct treatment of PTSD symptoms in women age 18-65 who have post-traumatic stress disorder compared to conventional CBT and medication treatment alone.
Methods: A literature search using Google Scholar, Clinical Key, and PubMed was conducted in November 2018. Six articles were chosen by limiting inclusion criteria based on the date of publication, type of alternative therapy, time-frame, and participant age and gender. These articles were analyzed and then compared.
Results: Each study was a form of randomized control trial (RCT) and compared a yoga intervention to a control group in participants who had at least subthreshold PTSD. Each report found at least one statistically significant improvement in the outcome measurement used to examine PTSD. Some studies also found statistically significant improvement for the control group. One study provided long-term follow up of the participants.
Discussion: The majority of the studies aside from one had marginal sample sizes with adequate recruitment strategies and timeline. The outcome measures differed among the studies so they cannot be directly compared or fully confirm the topic in question. However, there were clinically significant improvements in outcomes with no reported negative outcomes in each of the studies.
Conclusion: Although the results of the study cannot fully be confirmed despite some statistically significant findings, the clinical significance and lack of adverse outcomes indicate that yoga should still be considered as adjunct therapy as many people are unable to tolerate or access pharmacological or psychotherapeutic treatment.