Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress are highly prevalent and comorbid with health problems. Despite the apparent systemic nature of post-traumatic stress, recommended treatments neglect trauma's deleterious effects on health. Integrative mind-body treatments for posttraumatic stress, such as Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ), may offer a promising adjunct to first-line treatments.Method
A systematic search was conducted to identify trials that examined Tai Chi and/or Qigong as treatments for trauma-exposed populations. Studies were examined for rigor; design, sample and intervention characteristics, dropout, attendance, satisfaction, acceptability, and key findings were systematically extracted.Results
The 6 studies included are all pilot or feasibility trials with descriptive or mixed-methods outcomes. No randomized trials or rigorous studies were identified. Dropout rates ranged widely, and adverse reactions were not evident. Reported satisfaction was high and benefits of relaxation, reductions in mental health symptoms, and improvements in pain and physical and cognitive functioning were noted.Limitations
All the studies were non-rigorous and relatively small, with no comparison groups, or follow-up assessments; in many cases, posttraumatic stress symptoms were not formally assessed.Conclusions
The paucity and lack of rigor of the studies identified for this review highlights the need for larger, methodologically sound clinical trials. The reviewed studies suggest that TCQ practices have the potential to reduce symptoms and improve functioning for individuals exposed to trauma and provide evidence that TCQ is feasible, acceptable, and low risk in these populations. Possible mechanistic pathways supporting TCQ as a treatment for posttraumatic stress are considered.
SUBMITTER: Niles BL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10601358 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Niles Barbara L BL Reid Kieran F KF Whitworth James W JW Alligood Elaine E Williston Sarah Krill SK Grossman Daniel H DH McQuade Maria M MM Mori DeAnna L DL
Mental health and physical activity 20220301
<h4>Background</h4>Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress are highly prevalent and comorbid with health problems. Despite the apparent systemic nature of post-traumatic stress, recommended treatments neglect trauma's deleterious effects on health. Integrative mind-body treatments for posttraumatic stress, such as Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ), may offer a promising adjunct to first-line treatments.<h4>Method</h4>A systematic search was conducted to identify trials that examined Tai Chi and/or Qigon ...[more]