@article{ref1,
title="Healing Touch with Guided Imagery for PTSD in returning active duty military: a randomized controlled trial",
journal="Military medicine",
year="2012",
author="Jain, Shamini and McMahon, George F. and Hasen, Patricia and Kozub, Madelyn P. and Porter, Valencia and King, Rauni and Guarneri, Erminia M.",
volume="177",
number="9",
pages="1015-1021",
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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0026-4075",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}