Date of Award
2016
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Department Chair
John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is Yoga An Effective Treatment For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?”
Study Design: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer reviewed journals between 2010-2014, all English language.
Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials were found using PubMed.
Outcomes Measured: All three studies measured improvement in PTSD symptoms through yoga therapy using self-reported patient questionnaires, visual analog scales, and vital signs.
Results: Studies by Telles et al. and van der Kolk et al. found that yoga therapy significantly improved symptoms in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, a study by Mitchell et al. demonstrated that participants who engaged in yoga had a significant decrease in their PTSD symptoms, but participants in the control group also had a decrease in their PTSD symptoms.
Conclusions: Based on the results of these three RCTs, it seems that there is a benefit of using yoga therapy to treat patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, at least on a short-term basis. Due to lack of sufficient post-intervention long-term follow up, it is unable to be determined if yoga has lasting effects as a treatment for PTSD. Therefore, the use of this treatment modality warrants further investigation.
Recommended Citation
Ionna, Marissa, "Is Yoga an Effective Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?" (2016). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 281.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/281