| Abstract: | BackgroundCognitive behavioral therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are evidence-based and effective for many. However, the reach and impact of these interventions are limited. Physical interventions hold potential to bridge a gap in the unmet treatment of trauma and stressor-related disorders.MethodThis systematic review examined 84 studies from four decades of research on physical interventions for trauma and stressor-related disorders to: 1) describe the state of the field and 2) summarize the best available evidence. Reviewed studies were described in terms of measured sample characteristics and assessed outcomes. Treatment effect patterns were analyzed by intervention content and study design.ResultsThe majority of studies (65.9%) reported statistically significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms; 40.9% used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Among RCTs, one performed rigorous, statistically powered analyses in an intention-to-treat sample.LimitationsHigh variability in reporting strategies among reviewed studies precludes analysis of variables such as intervention length, frequency, and dropout.ConclusionPreliminary evidence for the efficacy of physical interventions for trauma and stressor-related disorders is promising. Larger scale RCTs powered and designed to identify mediators and moderators of these interventions are warranted. |
