Development, validation, and feasibility testing of Tele-Yoga Module for PTSD

Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a growing concern worldwide. The increasing incidence of PTSD, compounded by the social stigma associated with it, often prevents individuals from seeking professional help. The objective of this study was to develop, validate, and test the feasibility of Tele-Yoga Module (TYM) for managing PTSD, within a community setting in India.

Methods

The TYM was developed and validated following the procedure presented in the protocol study [1]. The feasibility of the module was then tested in a 12-week study with sixty participants diagnosed with PTSD as per DSM-V criteria. Participants were split evenly between the TYM and a treatment-as-usual (TAU) group. We measured variables such as PTSD symptoms, social functioning, resilience, anxiety, depression, and yoga-based personality traits.

Results

Participants in the TYM group showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression, compared to the TAU group (p < 0.001 for all). No significant between-group differences were observed in resilience and psycho-social functions (p = 0.11). The feasibility aspects of the TYM have been discussed under seven dimensions, including safety and acceptability. These findings suggest that the TYM can serve as a potentially useful add-on intervention in managing PTSD. This study contributes to the emerging field of tele-yoga and highlights the importance of culturally and contextually adapted mental health interventions. Such approaches are crucial for addressing the global burden of PTSD.