Veterans Team Recovery Integrative Immersion Process (Vet TRIIP) Yoga: Benefits and Factors Related to Participation

Abstract

Veterans Team Recovery Integrative Immersion Process (Vet TRIIP) is a community-based, nonprofit organization that uses complementary and integrative approaches to alleviate the symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress and chronic pain to create healthy, happy, and productive lives for veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers. One of the services provided is weekly yoga classes. This study evaluated the benefits and other related factors associated with the participation in the Vet TRIIP yoga program. Vet TRIIP yoga participants completed surveys in which they rated their pain and stress levels before and after each session. A subgroup of participants was interviewed about their motivations, perceived benefits, barriers to participation, and feedback of the program. The participants reported significant decreases in pain and stress levels after yoga. Motivators for participation included current pain and stress levels and recommendations by healthcare providers and Vet TRIIP staff. Perceived benefits were improved physical and mental wellbeing. Misconceptions about yoga that may hinder veterans from participating include gender, socioeconomic, and religious biases along with the physical demands of the practice. The participants were satisfied with the format of the program. These findings highlight the impact of Vet TRIIP in the community to address chronic pain and posttraumatic stress among veterans, service members, and caregivers. Entities like Vet TRIIP should be supported. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of community-based programs supporting veterans. Collaborations between academia and community programs are encouraged to advance scientific understanding of chronic pain and stress co-morbidities and the role of complementary and integrative approaches.