Researchers in Australia and the US have published the first study of its kind, comparing the benefits of either 6 weeks of either cognitive processing therapy or a breathing-based yoga practice in 85 US Veterans with clinically significant PTSD symptoms. Crucially the study explored whether there was a physiological marker that could predict whether one intervention would be better than another for the individual.
Their findings concluded that “Veterans with poorer autonomic regulation prior to treatment had better PTSD outcomes with yoga, whereas those with better autonomic regulation did better with trauma-focused psychological therapy..”
This evidence further highlights that HRV can be used as a marker to determine what treatment is going to be most effective. There has never been a biological measure used to help decipher the efficacy of an intervention, so this is BIG news!
Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the most well-respected indicators of the flexibility of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). High variability is a good thing and suggests a capacity to move between relaxation and the capacity to mobilise energy. It is well-known that those with PTSD have low HRV, so it is difficult to regulate mood and respond to the changes in the environment.
Controlled breathing techniques can support the flexibility of the autonomic nervous system (as measured through HRV) and enhance emotional regulation. The breathing based yoga practice in this trial is likely to be the primary variable in significant changes in HRV.
In this study those with more severe PTSD & C-PTSD as measured by HRV, need to regulate their nervous system as a first point of call. Theoretically, once there is an increase in HRV, trauma-focused psychological therapies may be highly effective. Before HRV levels increase, talking therapies may actually be triggering for patients.
Published in the Frontiers of Psychology, this research comes at a time when, now, more than ever, we welcome science-backed ways to support those with PTSD & C-PTSD.
Read the full study here.
These findings underscore the potential of yoga as a personalised PTSD treatment option, particularly for individuals with compromised autonomic function.
The Minded Institute and PTSDUK are conducting research into how somatic therapies can be a pathway for recovery from PTSD and C-PTSD.
If you would like to contribute towards this research, please complete this survey.
