New research published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress suggests that the practice of yoga could help combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study examined the effects of Sudarshan Kriya yoga on PTSD patients over the course of one year. Sudarshan Kriya focuses on breathing-based meditation. Twenty-one male Iraq/Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with PTSD participated in the study. Eleven participated in a seven-day program that included Sudarshan Kriya, meditation and group discussions, while 10 participants were used as a control group.
Up to 20 percent of America’s 2.3 million Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from PTSD. The effects are deadly: according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, at least 22 American veterans commit suicide each day.
Individuals suffering from PTSD suffer from anxiety, personality changes and flashbacks. They often feel jumpy and constantly on guard, a phenomenon known as hyper-arousal. Traditional treatment includes antidepressants and psychotherapy.
The veterans’ symptoms were evaluated one week prior to the program, followed by one week, one month and one year after the program. Of the veterans involved in the active program, seven continued to practice yoga afterwards.
The study found that the group that did yoga had fewer PTSD symptoms, and symptoms that did occur were less severe. They had lower anxiety, a lower respiratory rate and showed less hyper-arousal and greater regulation of emotions. The participants in the yoga group reported fewer intrusive memories, and most patients reported that while they experienced trauma during the yoga practice, the impact of the memories was lessened.
In the past, yoga has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing PTSD in tsunami survivors, as well as in the treatment of anxiety, depression and alcoholism.
The practice of yoga is founded in focusing on breathing and remaining in the present moment. Yoga practitioners are also trained in “intraception,” the practice of observing and understanding one’s internal state. In conjunction with other treatments, these tools may help individuals with PTSD to move away from negative thoughts.
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