title: Healing Touch with Guided Imagery for PTSD in returning active duty military: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a significant problem in returning military and warrants swift and effective treatment. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether a complementary medicine intervention (Healing Touch with Guided Imagery [HT+GI]) reduced PTSD symptoms as compared to treatment as usual (TAU) returning combat-exposed active duty military with significant PTSD symptoms. Active duty military (n = 123) were randomized to 6 sessions (within 3 weeks) of HT+GI vs. TAU. The primary outcome was PTSD symptoms; secondary outcomes were depression, quality of life, and hostility. Repeated measures analysis of covariance with intent-to-treat analyses revealed statistically and clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms (p < 0.0005, Cohen's d = 0.85) as well as depression (p < 0.0005, Cohen's d = 0.70) for HT+GI vs. TAU. HT+GI also showed significant improvements in mental quality of life (p = 0.002, Cohen's d = 0.58) and cynicism (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.49) vs. TAU. Participation in a complementary medicine intervention resulted in a clinically significant reduction in PTSD and related symptoms in a returning, combat-exposed active duty military population. Further investigation of GT and biofield therapy approaches for mitigating PTSD in military populations is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Samueli Institute, 2101 East Coast Highway, Suite 330, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625-1900, USA.
authors.forename: Shamini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: George F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hasen
authors.forename: Madelyn P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kozub
authors.forename: Valencia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Rauni
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Erminia M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Guarneri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D019124:Therapeutic Touch; D016896:Treatment Outcome