A systematic review of randomized trials of mind-body interventions for PTSD.

A systematic review of 22 randomized controlled trials found that mindfulness and yoga treatments for PTSD produced moderate to large effect size advantages over control conditions. Relaxation was used as a control in all seven relaxation trials, yet five of those trials reported significant between-group differences favoring the target treatments, and most showed large within-group symptom improvements in the relaxation condition. The authors conclude that results for mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation are promising, though many studies have methodological weaknesses. Recommendations for future mind-body trial designs are offered.

Study at a glance

Abstract

To systematically review outcomes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mind-body treatments for PTSD. Inclusion criteria based on guidelines for assessing risk of bias were used to evaluate articles identified through electronic literature searches. Twenty-two RCTs met inclusion standards. In most of the nine mindfulness and six yoga studies, significant between-group effects were found indicating moderate to large effect size advantages for these treatments. In all seven relaxation RCT's, relaxation was used as a control condition and five studies reported significant between-group differences on relevant PTSD outcomes in favor of the target treatments. However, there were large within-group symptom improvements in the relaxation condition for the majority of studies. Although many studies are limited by methodologic weaknesses, recent studies have increased rigor and, in aggregate, the results for mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation are promising. Recommendations for design of future mind-body trials are offered.