Mind-Body Therapy for Military Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review.
Robin E Cushing, Kathryn L Braun
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine February 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2017.0176 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | War veterans with combat-related PTSD or subthreshold PTSD, including some post-9/11 veterans |
| Interventions | seated or gentle yoga breath work meditation mantra repetition breathing exercises |
| Topics | PTSD |
| Keywords | Military Mind–body Veterans |
| Key findings | Mind-body therapies (yoga, breath work, meditation) were associated with significant improvements in PTSD symptoms across the reviewed studies. |
Abstract
About one-third of service members returning from post-9/11 deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq report combat-related mental health conditions, but many do not seek conventional treatment. Mind-body therapies have been offered as alternative approaches to decreasing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but no review of studies with veterans of post-9/11 operations was found. The objective of this study was to fill that gap. A systematic literature review was conducted following the preferred items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed MeSH terms were used to capture articles reporting on the military population (veteran and veterans) with PTSD who received a portable mind-body intervention (e.g., mindfulness, mind-body therapy, and yoga). PubMed/MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched. Studies were included if participants were a mixed group of war veterans, as long as some post-9/11 veterans were included. In addition, participants must have had a diagnosis of PTSD or subthreshold PTSD, and the PTSD must have been attributable to combat, rather than another event, such as sexual trauma or natural disaster. Of 175 records identified, 15 met inclusion criteria. Studies reported on seated or gentle yoga that included breath work, meditation, mantra repetition, or breathing exercises. For 14 of the 15 studies, study retention was 70% or higher. Overall, studies reported significant improvements in PTSD symptoms in participants in these interventions. Although each study included post-9/11 veterans, about 85% of participants were from other conflicts, predominantly Vietnam. Although findings were positive, future studies are needed to evaluate the short- and long-term impact of mind-body therapies on larger samples of post-9/11 veterans and to address research questions related to broadening service member and veteran participation in these therapies.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Mind–Body Exercises for PTSD Symptoms, Depression, and Anxiety in Patients With PTSD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Frontiers in Psychology January 18, 2022
- A Systematic Review of a Polyvagal Perspective on Embodied Contemplative Practices as Promoters of Cardiorespiratory Coupling and Traumatic Stress Recovery for PTSD and OCD: Research Methodologies and State of the Art International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health November 1, 2021
- Contemplative Practices as a Form of Stress Management for Patients with Kidney Disease. Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN July 18, 2025
- Mindfulness Processes and User Experiences in a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindfulness Coach App for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Mindfulness July 11, 2026
- Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice Frontiers in Psychology March 15, 2021
and 8 more in the library
Cites 13
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Mindfulness‐based stress reduction: A literature review and clinician’s guide Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners April 1, 2008
- Loving‐Kindness Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study Journal of Traumatic Stress July 25, 2013
- Breathing‐Based Meditation Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in U.S. Military Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Study Journal of Traumatic Stress August 1, 2014
and 8 more in the library