Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Postwar Kosovar Adolescents Using Mind-Body Skills Groups: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Objective To determine whether participation in a mind-body skills group program based on psychological self-care, mind-body techniques, and self-expression decreases symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method Eighty-two adolescents meeting criteria for PTSD according to the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (which corresponds with 16 of the 17 diagnostic criteria for PTSD in DSM-IV) were randomly assigned to a 12-session mind-body group program or a wait-list control group. The program was conducted by high school teachers in consultation with psychiatrists and psychologists and included meditation, guided imagery, and breathing techniques; self-expression through words, drawings, and movement; autogenic training and biofeedback; and genograms. Changes in PTSD symptoms were measured using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. The study was conducted from September 2004 to May 2005 by The Center for Mind-Body Medicine at a high school in the Suhareka region of Kosovo. Results Students in the immediate intervention group had significantly lower PTSD symptom scores following the intervention than those in the wait-list control group (F = 29.8, df = 1,76; p Conclusions Mind-body skills groups can reduce PTSD symptoms in war-traumatized high school students and can be effectively led by trained and supervised schoolteachers.
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EMDR is effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents.
“EMDR has been found to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents, and it is advantageous for those who struggle to verbalize their traumatic experiences [9].”
From Clinical Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Analysis. (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
EMDR is advantageous for children and adolescents who struggle to verbalize their traumatic experiences.
“EMDR has been found to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents, and it is advantageous for those who struggle to verbalize their traumatic experiences [9].”
From Clinical Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Analysis. (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
In an RCT of 82 adolescents with PTSD in postwar Kosovo, significant decreases in PTSD symptoms were found across the sample at post-test, with more dramatic positive effects in the immediate-intervention group than in the delayed-intervention group.
“Significant decreases in PTSD symptoms were found across the sample at post-test, with those students in the immediate-intervention group reporting more dramatic positive effects.”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [52]
Several studies reviewed highlight how paraprofessionals and lay facilitators may be successfully mobilized to deliver mental health and psychosocial interventions.
“Several of the studies reviewed here highlight how paraprofessionals and lay facilitators may be successfully mobilized to deliver mental health and psychosocial interventions.29,50–53,58,59,63”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [52]
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Cited by 218
- Authors
- Gordon, J. S., Staples, J. K., Blyta, A., Bytyqi, M., & Wilson, A. T.
- Affiliations
- The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (US)
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc
- Published
- 2008-09-30
- Volume
- 69
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1469-1476
- ISSN
- 0160-6689 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2073505653
- Cited by
- 218
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 7.82
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, adolescents, war trauma, group intervention, meditation, guided imagery, autogenic training, biofeedback, self-expression, genogram, school-based intervention, teacher-led intervention, psychological self-care
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Art Therapy, Autogenic Training, Biofeedback, Psychology, Breathing Exercises, Combined Modality Therapy, Faculty, Female, Humans, Male, Psychotherapy, Group, Surveys and Questionnaires, Referral and Consultation, Self Care, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Warfare, Yugoslavia, Imagery, Psychotherapy, Meditation, Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical
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