Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Systematic Review

Wahbeh, Helané; Senders, Angela; Neuendorf, Rachel; Cayton, Julien

doi:10.1177/2156587214525403

Cited by 49 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…In fact, many people with PTSD currently make use of BMOIs despite a lack of evidence for their benefit (Meijnckens & Hesselink, 2016). As somatic and psychosomatic pain and other physical health problems often remain after established PTSD treatments (Galovski et al, 2009;Shipherd et al, 2014), patients may favor complementary therapies because they use an integrative approach to healing without manifesting side effects (Wahbeh, Senders, Neuendorf, & Cayton, 2014), thus alleviating not only PTSD symptoms but also enhancing physical health (Descilo et al, 2009;Gordon et al, 2016;Price, 2005) and alleviating symptoms of pain and fatigue (Kahn et al, 2016;Nakamura et al, 2017). From this perspective, adding BMOIs to established treatments could improve general treatment adherence and prevent premature dropout.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body‐ and Movement‐Oriented Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Kamp

Scheffers

Hatzmann

et al. 2019

Journal of Traumatic Stress

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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).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body‐ and Movement‐Oriented Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Kamp

Scheffers

Hatzmann

et al. 2019

Journal of Traumatic Stress

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“…Mindfulness meditation (MM) may help patients observe and regulate strong emotions that can arise in trauma‐focused therapies (Vujanovic, Niles, Pietrefesa, Potter, & Schmertz, ) and seem feasible and potentially beneficial for people with PTSD (Kearney, McDermott, Malte, Martinez, & Simpson, ; Wahbeh, ). A systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine for PTSD found positive evidence for meditation (Wahbeh, Senders, Neuendorf, & Cayton, ). Since that review, a randomized controlled trial of 47 veterans with PTSD found clinically meaningful change in mental health‐related quality of life and PTSD symptoms compared with a control group at a 4‐month follow‐up (Kearney, McDermott, Malte, Martinez, & Simpson, ).…”

Section: Potential Pathway 1: Autonomic Nervous Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanistic Pathways of Mindfulness Meditation in Combat Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

et al. 2016

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Objective This study’s objective was to evaluate the effect of two common components of meditation (mindfulness and slow breathing) on potential mechanistic pathways. Methods 102 combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were randomized to: 1) the body scan mindfulness meditation (MM), 2) slow breathing (SB) with a biofeedback device, 3) mindful awareness of the breath with an intention to slow the breath (MM+SB), or 4) sitting quietly (SQ). Participants had six weekly one-on-one sessions with 20 minutes of daily home practice. The mechanistic pathways and measures were: 1) Autonomic Nervous System: hyperarousal symptoms, heart-rate (HR), heart-rate variability (HRV); 2) Frontal Cortex Activity: Attentional Network Task (ANT) conflict effect and event-related negativity, and intrusive thoughts; and 3) Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: awakening cortisol. PTSD measures were also evaluated. Results Meditation participants had significant but modest within-group improvement in PTSD and related symptoms although there were no between-group effects. Perceived impression of PTSD symptom improvement was greater in the meditation arms compared to controls. Resting respiration decreased in the meditation arms compared to SQ. For the mechanistic pathways 1) Subjective hyperarousal symptoms improved within-group (but not between-group) for MM, MM+SB, and SQ while HR and HRV did not; 2) Intrusive thoughts decreased in MM compared to MM+SB and SB while the ANT measures did not change; and 3) MM had lower awakening cortisol within-group but not between-group. Conclusion Treatment effects were mostly specific to self-report rather than physiological measures. Continued research is needed to further evaluate mindfulness meditation’s mechanism in people with PTSD.

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“…Sharing in public is aversive to many people especially those with sensitive diagnoses like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. While MMI may help improve PTSD symptoms [17,18], the group format could be problematic for people with PTSD because they prefer individual therapy and are less willing to attend group sessions [19]. Attrition rates are as high as 50% for people with PTSD in group MMI [20].…”

Section: Group Mindfulness Meditation Interventions (Mmi)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Group, One-on-One, or Internet? Preferences for Mindfulness Meditation Delivery Format and their Predictors

Wahbeh

Svalina

Oken

2014

MEDJ

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Objectives-Group mindfulness meditation interventions have improved symptoms in many health conditions. However, many people are unwilling to receive group treatment, so alternative delivery methods such as individual and internet may be a useful option. The study objective was to examine mindfulness meditation intervention delivery format preferences and their relationship to potential predictors.Design-An online survey was conducted of adult English speakers. Data was collected on interest and preference for internet, individual, or group formats of a mindfulness meditation intervention. Age, gender, personality, and posttraumatic stress disorder score and status and depression status were also collected.Results and Conclusions-500 eligible participants completed the survey (mean age 39±15; range 18-70; 68% female). Participants were more interested in the Internet (n=356) and individual formats (n=384) than the group format (n=245). Fifty-five participants (11%) said they would refuse a group format. Internet was the first choice format for most participants (Internet 212 (43%), Individual 187 (38%), Group 97 (20%) and group was the last choice for most participants (Internet 140 (29%), Individual 70 (14%), Group 279 (57%)). Age, extraversion and emotional stability were significant in predicting first choice format. These results support the need for more research and implementation of alternative mindfulness meditation intervention delivery formats. Future research will incorporate additional predictors and include a broader range of participants.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Systematic Review

Cited by 49 publications

References 71 publications

Body‐ and Movement‐Oriented Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Body‐ and Movement‐Oriented Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Mechanistic Pathways of Mindfulness Meditation in Combat Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Group, One-on-One, or Internet? Preferences for Mindfulness Meditation Delivery Format and their Predictors

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