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CAM and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Alex Hankey

Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM March 1, 2007 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nel041 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Intervention Transcendental Meditation
Topics PTSD
Key findings Transcendental Meditation should be considered a possible new and improved mode of treatment for PTSD, based on observed improvements in Vietnam War Veterans and efficacy against other stress-related conditions.

Abstract

In the form of the Transcendental Meditation program CAM offers a method of eliminating deep-rooted stress, the efficacy of which has been demonstrated in several related studies. Any discussion of CAM and post-traumatic stress disorder should include a study of its application to Vietnam War Veterans in which improvements were observed on all variables, and several participants were able to return to work after several years of being unable to hold a job. The intervention has been studied for its impact on brain and autonomic nervous system function. It has been found to be highly effective against other stress-related conditions such as hypertension, and to improve brain coherence-a measure of effective brain function. It should be considered a possible 'new and improved mode of treatment' for PTSD, and further studies of its application made.