To assess the efficacy of body-and movement-oriented interventions (BMOIs) in traumatized adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of pertinent literature. Four bibliographical databases (PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE(R), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched using keywords and text words for trials on BMOIs addressing PTSD. The search included articles published between October 2005 and August 2017. Studies were included if participants were adults suffering from PTSD, if BMOIs were the therapeutic strategy under investigation, and if a psychometrically evaluated standardized outcome measure for PTSD was used. No limitations for control conditions were applied. Hedges' g was computed as the effect size (ES) for the treatment versus control condition. The meta-analysis included 15 studies, which resulted in a mean ES of g = 0.85, 95% CI [0.31, 1.39], with very high heterogeneity, I 2 = 91%. After removing one study as outlier, a mean effect size of g = 0.56, 95% CI [0.29, 0.82] (i.e., medium effect), still with considerable heterogeneity, I 2 = 57%, was found. BMOIs seem to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, but more research is needed to identify working mechanisms and to determine which types of intervention are most effective for various subgroups of patients.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and debilitating disorder characterized by symptoms of reexperiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal as a consequence of one or more traumatizing experiences (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). The disorder is associated with suicidal ideation and behavior (Ying et al., 2015;Youssef et al., 2013), as well as high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, and substance use disorders (Jacobi et al., 2004;Yehuda et al., 2015). Additionally, PTSD is associated with medical comorbidities (such as cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, and gastrointestinal disorders), chronic pain and inflammation, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (Gupta, 2013;Yehuda et al., 2015).

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk of physical disorders as a consequence of chronic stress reactions and adverse lifestyle behaviours. In addition, various other physical signs and symptoms may be present, as well as problems with emotional awareness, such as alexithymia, which may impede verbal information processing. Therefore, a psychomotor diagnostic instrument (PMDI) is developed, based on non-verbal information to contribute to a careful and reliable diagnostic procedure. The PDMI is designed to identify specific goals for body and movement oriented treatments of PTSD. It consists of a manual with an assessment procedure, guidelines for scoring items and for the calculation of cluster scores based on item scores. In this paper, the PMDI and its development are discussed, and illustrated by brief vignettes.