Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in postwar Kosovo high school students using mind-body skills groups: a pilot study

J Trauma Stress. 2004 Apr;17(2):143-7. doi: 10.1023/B:JOTS.0000022620.13209.a0.

Abstract

This preliminary study examined whether the practice of mind-body techniques decreases symptoms of posttraumatic stress in adolescents. Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index questionnaires were collected from 139 high school students in Kosovo who participated in a 6-week program that included meditation, biofeedback, drawings, autogenic training, guided imagery, genograms, movement, and breathing techniques. Three separate programs were held approximately 2 months apart. There was no control group. Posttraumatic stress scores significantly decreased after participation in the programs. These scores remained decreased in the 2 groups that participated in the follow-up study when compared to pretest measures. These data indicate that mind-body skills groups were effective in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms in war-traumatized high school students.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mind-Body Therapies*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychotherapy, Group / methods*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / rehabilitation*
  • Student Health Services
  • Warfare*
  • Yugoslavia