scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Mindfulness Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Practices Differentially Affect Symptoms, Aspects of Well-Being, and Potential Mechanisms of Action

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 482-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Dharmakaya Colgan ◽  
Helané Wahbeh ◽  
Mollie Pleet ◽  
Kristen Besler ◽  
Michael Christopher
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research

This qualitative study explored and compared the subjective experiences of 102 veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 arms: ( a) body scan, ( b) mindful breathing, ( c) slow breathing, or ( d) sitting quietly. Qualitative data were obtained via semistructured interviews following the intervention and analyzed using conventional content analysis. The percentage of participants within each intervention who endorsed a specific theme was calculated. Two-proportion z tests were then calculated to determine if the differences among themes endorsed in specific groups were statistically significant. Six core themes emerged from analysis of participant responses across the 4 groups: ( a) enhanced present moment awareness, ( b) increased nonreactivity, ( c) increased nonjudgmental acceptance, ( d) decreased physiological arousal and stress reactivity, ( e) increased active coping skills, and ( f) greater relaxation. More participants in the mindfulness intervention groups reported improvement in PTSD symptoms when compared to participants in non-mindfulness groups. Different types of intervention targeted different symptoms and aspects of well-being. Furthermore, type of intervention may have also differentially targeted potential mechanisms of action. This article highlights the importance of employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods when investigating the dynamic process of mindfulness and may inform how practices can be tailored to the needs of the veteran with PTSD.

War and Well-Being: The Association between Forgiveness, Social Support, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Well-Being during and after War

Social Work ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Weinberg ◽  
Hila Harel ◽  
Michal Shamani ◽  
Keren Or-Chen ◽  
Pnina Ron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being

Assessment of yoga as an adjuvant treatment for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda McCarthy ◽  
Judith Fuller ◽  
Georgina Davidson ◽  
Alicia Crump ◽  
Sandro Positano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Waiting Period ◽  
Ptsd Checklist ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
History Of

Objectives: This study assessed yoga as an adjuvant strategy for symptoms of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: Subjects had significant, combat-related PTSD. Control data were collected during an eight-week waiting period. Trauma-sensitive yoga sessions of 90 minutes duration were provided every seven days for eight weeks. Assessments included the PTSD checklist (PCL); the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS); the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP); the SF36 Quality of Life instrument; and a brief, structured pre-enrolment assessment of attitudes towards yoga. Biomarkers were also assessed. Results: Thirty participants were recruited, with 28 completing the protocol ( Mage=63.5 years). For most variables, there was no significant change in results after the waiting period. Comparing measurements obtained immediately prior to the commencement of the intervention to those taken after completion of eight yoga sessions, significant changes included an increase in the serum dehydroepiandrosterone concentration, decreased total PCL score (and all PCL sub-scales), decreases in all DASS sub-scale scores and significant improvements in PSQI and SF36 scores. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: A range of benefits were observed after yoga, consistent with the theoretical construct for the long history of yoga as a strategy to reduce stress and promote well-being.

scholarly journals Chronic Pain and Chronic Stress: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 247054701770476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chadi G Abdallah ◽  
Paul Geha
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Well Being

Pain and stress share significant conceptual and physiological overlaps. Both phenomena challenge the body’s homeostasis and necessitate decision-making to help animals adapt to their environment. In addition, chronic stress and chronic pain share a common behavioral model of failure to extinguish negative memories. Yet, they also have discrepancies such that the final brain endophenotype of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and chronic pain appears to be different among the three conditions, and the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis remains unclear in the physiology of pain. Persistence of either stress or pain is maladaptive and could lead to compromised well-being. In this brief review, we highlight the commonalities and differences between chronic stress and chronic pain, while focusing particularly on the central role of the limbic brain. We assess the current attempts in the field to conceptualize and understand chronic pain, within the context of knowledge gained from the stress literature. The limbic brain—including hippocampus, amygdala, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex—plays a critical role in learning. These brain areas integrate incoming nociceptive or stress signals with internal state, and generate learning signals necessary for decision-making. Therefore, the physiological and structural remodeling of this learning circuitry is observed in conditions such as chronic pain, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, and is also linked to the risk of onset of these conditions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document