In trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), stabilization techniques are used before confrontation ones to increase stress/affect tolerance and thus effectiveness of CBT. This study investigated the effects of pranayama, meditative yoga breathing and breath holding techniques, as a complimentary stabilization technique in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Seventy-four PTSD-patients (84% female, 44.2 ± 13 years) were randomized to receive either pranayama at the beginning of each TF-CBT session or TF-CBT alone. …
… In PTSD patients without concurrent somatoform disorders, the integration of pranayama into TF-CBT might reduce post-traumatic symptoms and increase mental quality of life more efficiently than TF-CBT alone. The results remain preliminary until they can be replicated by ITT analyses.
ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03748121.
Related information
If this topic is personally relevant, the general page on Trauma and PTSD may be a helpful starting point. Trauma-related difficulties can also overlap with anxiety and depression.
If symptoms are persistent, severe, or affecting daily life, it can be helpful to speak with a qualified mental health professional.