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PTSD symptom reduction with mindfulness-based stretching and deep breathing exercise: randomized controlled clinical trial of efficacy.

ABSTRACT: CONTEXT:Abnormal cortisol levels are a key pathophysiological indicator of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Endogenous normalization of cortisol concentration through exercise may be associated with PTSD symptom reduction. OBJECTIVE:The aim of the study was to determine whether mindfulness-based stretching and deep breathing exercise (MBX) normalizes cortisol levels and reduces PTSD symptom severity among individuals with subclinical features of PTSD. DESIGN AND SETTING:A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. PARTICIPANTS:Twenty-nine nurses (28 female) aged 45-66 years participated in the study. INTERVENTION:Sixty-minute MBX sessions were conducted semiweekly for 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Serum cortisol was measured, and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) was performed at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 16. RESULTS:Twenty-nine participants completed the study procedures, 22 (79%) with PTSD symptoms (MBX, n = 11; control, n = 11), and 7 (21%) without PTSD (BASE group). Eight-week outcomes for the MBX group were superior to those for the control group (mean difference for PCL-C scores, -13.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], -25.6, -1.6; P = .01; mean difference for serum cortisol, 5.8; 95% CI, 0.83, 10.8; P = .01). No significant differences were identified between groups in any other items. The changes in the MBX group were maintained at the 16-week follow-up (P = .85 for PCL-C; P = .21 for cortisol). Our data show that improved PTSD scores were associated with normalization of cortisol levels (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS:The results suggest that MBX appears to reduce the prevalence of PTSD-like symptoms in individuals exhibiting subclinical features of PTSD.

SUBMITTER: Kim SH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3701284 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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PTSD symptom reduction with mindfulness-based stretching and deep breathing exercise: randomized controlled clinical trial of efficacy.

Kim Sang Hwan SH Schneider Suzanne M SM Bevans Margaret M Kravitz Len L Mermier Christine C Qualls Clifford C Burge Mark R MR

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 20130529 7

<h4>Context</h4>Abnormal cortisol levels are a key pathophysiological indicator of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Endogenous normalization of cortisol concentration through exercise may be associated with PTSD symptom reduction.<h4>Objective</h4>The aim of the study was to determine whether mindfulness-based stretching and deep breathing exercise (MBX) normalizes cortisol levels and reduces PTSD symptom severity among individuals with subclinical features of PTSD.<h4>Design and setting</ ...[more]

PMID: 23720785

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Project description:Burnout is highly prevalent in residents. No randomized controlled trials have been conducted measuring the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on burnout in residents.To determine the effectiveness of MBSR in reducing burnout in residents.A randomized controlled trial comparing MBSR with a waitlist control group.Residents from all medical, surgical and primary care disciplines were eligible to participate. Participants were self-referred.The MBSR consisted of eight weekly 2.5-h sessions and one 6-h silent day.The primary outcome was the emotional exhaustion subscale of the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey. Secondary outcomes included the depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment subscales of burnout, worry, work-home interference, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, positive mental health, empathy and medical errors. Assessment took place at baseline and post-intervention approximately 3 months later.Of the 148 residents participating, 138 (93%) completed the post-intervention assessment. No significant difference in emotional exhaustion was found between the two groups. However, the MBSR group reported significantly greater improvements than the control group in personal accomplishment (p?=?0.028, d?=?0.24), worry (p?=?0.036, d?=?0.23), mindfulness skills (p?=?0.010, d?=?0.33), self-compassion (p?=?0.010, d?=?0.35) and perspective-taking (empathy) (p?=?0.025, d?=?0.33). No effects were found for the other measures. Exploratory moderation analysis showed that the intervention outcome was moderated by baseline severity of emotional exhaustion; those with greater emotional exhaustion did seem to benefit.The results of our primary outcome analysis did not support the effectiveness of MBSR for reducing emotional exhaustion in residents. However, residents with high baseline levels of emotional exhaustion did appear to benefit from MBSR. Furthermore, they demonstrated modest improvements in personal accomplishment, worry, mindfulness skills, self-compassion and perspective-taking. More research is needed to confirm these results.

Project description:BackgroundDuring the past decade, there has been a rapid increase of interactive apps designed for health and well-being. Yet, little research has been published on developing frameworks for design and evaluation of digital mindfulness facilitating technologies. Moreover, many existing digital mindfulness applications are purely software based. There is room for further exploration and assessment of designs that make more use of physical qualities of artifacts.ObjectiveThe study aimed to develop and test a new physical digital mindfulness prototype designed for stress reduction.MethodsIn this case study, we designed, developed, and evaluated HU, a physical digital mindfulness prototype designed for stress reduction. In the first phase, we used vapor and light to support mindful breathing and invited 25 participants through snowball sampling to test HU. In the second phase, we added sonification. We deployed a package of probes such as photos, diaries, and cards to collect data from users who explored HU in their homes. Thereafter, we evaluated our installation using both self-assessed stress levels and heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measures in a pilot study, in order to measure stress resilience effects. After the experiment, we performed a semistructured interview to reflect on HU and investigate the design of digital mindfulness apps for stress reduction.ResultsThe results of the first phase showed that 22 of 25 participants (88%) claimed vapor and light could be effective ways of promoting mindful breathing. Vapor could potentially support mindful breathing better than light (especially for mindfulness beginners). In addition, a majority of the participants mentioned sound as an alternative medium. In the second phase, we found that participants thought that HU could work well for stress reduction. We compared the effect of silent HU (using light and vapor without sound) and sonified HU on 5 participants. Subjective stress levels were statistically improved with both silent and sonified HU. The mean value of HR using silent HU was significantly lower than resting baseline and sonified HU. The mean value of root mean square of differences (RMSSD) using silent HU was significantly higher than resting baseline. We found that the differences between our objective and subjective assessments were intriguing and prompted us to investigate them further.ConclusionsOur evaluation of HU indicated that HU could facilitate relaxed breathing and stress reduction. There was a difference in outcome between the physiological measures of stress and the subjective reports of stress, as well as a large intervariability among study participants. Our conclusion is that the use of stress reduction tools should be customized and that the design work of mindfulness technology for stress reduction is a complex process, which requires cooperation of designers, HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) experts and clinicians.

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PTSD symptom reduction with mindfulness-based stretching and deep breathing exercise: randomized controlled clinical trial of efficacy.

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PTSD symptom reduction with mindfulness-based stretching and deep breathing exercise: randomized controlled clinical trial of efficacy.

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