Publication year
2012
Citation Title
Effects of sensory-enhanced yoga on symptoms of combat stress in deployed military personnel.
Journal Name
American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Journal Volume
66
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
59-68
DOI
10.5014/ajot.2012.001230
Summary
It is important to identify techniques that can help Service members reduce combat stress during deployment. The effects of sensory-enhanced yoga on anxiety and sensory processing were examined, and results showed that sensory-enhanced yoga reduced anxiety symptoms.
Key Findings
Sensory-enhanced yoga decreased anxiety when comparing the treatment group with the control group (no treatment).
Participants reported a greater quality of life after completing a sensory-enhanced yoga treatment.
Of treatment participants, 54% reported sleep improvements and 37% noted that they felt more calm and relaxed.
Implications for Program Leaders
Engage Service members in pre-deployment classes that provide sensory-enhanced techniques that addresses stress related to combat exposure
Disseminate information to military families regarding possible symptoms of distress Service members may face during deployment and where individuals can find help
Provide education to Service members that helps increase positive coping skills for anxiety during deployment
Implications for Policy Makers
Promote the development of activities at installations that engage Service members and their families in positive coping behaviors related to high stress situations
Encourage the training of professionals to better identify Service members who are showing symptoms of combat stress
Continue to support programs that aim to reduce the stigma around seeking help
Methods
Participants were recruited from a U. S. military installation in Iraq via email and flyers.
Data were collected via self-administered assessments, both pre- and post-treatment.
Over a three week period, half of the participants took part in at least two sensory-enhanced yoga sessions a week and minimum of nine sessions for the entire period.
The relationships between participation in sensory-enhanced yoga, anxiety, and sensory processing were analyzed.
Participants
Active Duty participants included 48 men and 22 women.
The sample had an average age of 32 years (SD = 8.05).
Among the sample, 40% were in the Army and 60% were in the Air Force.
The race/ethnicity of the Service members were not reported.
Limitations
Participants were in the Army and the Air Force, which limits the ability to extend results to other branches of the military.
Length of deployment and amount of combat exposure were not measured, which may have influenced findings.
Due to self-administered assessments, the Service member may have been biased on their responses.
Avenues for Future Research
Conduct longitudinal studies to examine the effect of sensory-enhanced yoga on Service members
Replicate the current study and include measures on combat exposure and length of deployment
Study current pre-deployment programs that incorporate combat stress management and compare that to this treatment study
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:We examined the effects of sensory-enhanced hatha yoga on symptoms of combat stress in deployed military personnel, compared their anxiety and sensory processing with that of stateside civilians, and identified any correlations between the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scales and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile quadrants. METHOD:Seventy military personnel who were deployed to Iraq participated in a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-five received 3 wk (≥9 sessions) of sensory-enhanced hatha yoga, and 35 did not receive any form of yoga. RESULTS: Sensory-enhanced hatha yoga was effective in reducing state and trait anxiety, despite normal pretest scores. Treatment participants showed significantly greater improvement than control participants on 16 of 18 mental health and quality-of-life factors. We found positive correlations between all test measures except sensory seeking. Sensory seeking was negatively correlated with all measures except low registration, which was insignificant. CONCLUSION: The results support using sensory-enhanced hatha yoga for proactive combat stress management.
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