In a major breakthrough, a randomized clinical trial has found Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) to be as effective as first-line cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to military sexual trauma (MST) in women veterans. The study, conducted within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care systems, involved 131 women veterans with PTSD, revealing significant results.
Key Findings:
- Equivalent Effectiveness: TCTSY demonstrated large within-group effect sizes comparable to CPT, indicating its equivalence in reducing PTSD symptom severity.
- Higher Completion Rate: TCTSY boasted a 42.6% higher treatment completion rate than CPT, signifying greater acceptability among participants.
- Cost-Effective Treatment: The study suggests that TCTSY is a cost-effective means to expand the range of PTSD treatment options within the VA.
Implications:
- Broader Treatment Options: TCTSY’s success opens up new avenues for PTSD treatment, providing women veterans with an alternative that is both effective and acceptable.
- Improved Access: The higher completion rate of TCTSY suggests increased access to patient-driven and effective PTSD treatment for women veterans.
- Addressing Associated Symptoms: TCTSY not only reduces PTSD symptoms but also shows promise in improving associated symptoms like depression and anxiety.
Background:
- Prevalence of PTSD in Women Veterans: PTSD poses a significant threat to the physical and mental health of women veterans, with one in five women patients in the VA experiencing PTSD.
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST): MST, defined as threatening sexual harassment or assault during military service, is a leading cause of military service-related PTSD among women veterans.
Current PTSD Treatment Limitations:
- Low Engagement: First-line trauma-focused therapies, though effective, face challenges with low treatment initiation, high dropout rates, and incomplete efficacy.
- Growing Preference for Yoga: Veterans’ increasing preference for yoga as a PTSD treatment has prompted the VA to expand access to complementary and integrative health modalities.
Study Details:
- Participants: 131 women veterans aged 22 to 71 years with MST-related PTSD were enrolled and randomized to TCTSY or CPT.
- Interventions: TCTSY involved 10 weekly, 60-minute group sessions, while CPT comprised 12 weekly, 90-minute group sessions.
- Outcome Measures: PTSD symptom severity was assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).
Conclusion: This groundbreaking study establishes TCTSY as an effective and acceptable treatment for women veterans with PTSD related to MST. The results, with their potential to reduce treatment limitations and enhance accessibility, could mark a significant advancement in PTSD care for women veterans. The integration of Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga into existing treatment options holds the promise of improving the lives of those affected by military sexual trauma-related PTSD.