Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study
<script id="th-iframe-script" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ofdopmlmgifpfkijadehmhjccbefaeec/assets/comms/commsiframe.js"></script>This study explores the use of low-to-moderate intensity mindfulness-based exercises (“moving meditation”) to...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Virginia Tech Libraries
2019-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Veterans Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journal-veterans-studies.org/articles/128 |
| _version_ | 1828463722155212800 |
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| author | Shannon Munro Matthew Komelski Brian Lutgens Julian Lagoy Mark Detweiler |
| author_facet | Shannon Munro Matthew Komelski Brian Lutgens Julian Lagoy Mark Detweiler |
| author_sort | Shannon Munro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <script id="th-iframe-script" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ofdopmlmgifpfkijadehmhjccbefaeec/assets/comms/commsiframe.js"></script>This study explores the use of low-to-moderate intensity mindfulness-based exercises (“moving meditation”) to improve Veteran physical activity level and physiological health and psychological well-being including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. 12-week, pre- and post-test intervention, mixed methods pilot. Setting/Subjects: Veterans with a history of posttraumatic stress disorder receiving care at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. All Veterans participated in bi-weekly classroom instruction prior to a 6-10 minute warm up period of Qigong exercises, followed by a 30 minute period of Taijiquan/Qigong or mindful-meditative walking, followed by a 6-10 minute cool down period of light movement. Overall physical activity was measured for a one-week period before and after the 12-week intervention period with an Actigraph accelerometer. Physiological health indices were measured pre- and post- 12-week intervention, including salivary cortisol, Hgb A1C, fasting glucose, gonadal panel (FSH, LH, testosterone), albumin, hs-CRP, and sex hormone-binding globulin. Veterans’ mental well-being was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, the PTSD Checklist (PCL-C), the Cohen Perceived Stress scale, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Participants reported increased frequency and enjoyment of physical activity; improvement in Hgb A1C; improvement in balance and movement awareness; improvement in emotional regulation and focus; and reported reduced depression, stress and anxiety, and PTSD symptoms that benefitted social interactions. Moving meditation as part of a multifaceted treatment approach may increase physical activity, improve physiological health, and enhance mental well-being, particularly with respect to PTSD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T02:59:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-37e5a493b84a4a9bbebec9242dd1ea1a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2470-4768 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T02:59:09Z |
| publishDate | 2019-10-01 |
| publisher | Virginia Tech Libraries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Veterans Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-37e5a493b84a4a9bbebec9242dd1ea1a2022-12-22T01:23:05ZengVirginia Tech LibrariesJournal of Veterans Studies2470-47682019-10-0151162310.21061/jvs.v5i1.128107Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot StudyShannon Munro0Matthew Komelski1Brian Lutgens2Julian Lagoy3Mark Detweiler4Department of Veterans Affairs Medical CenterVirginia Polytechnic Institute & State UniversityDepartment of Veterans Affairs Medical CenterVirginia Tech Carilion School of MedicineDepartment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center<script id="th-iframe-script" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ofdopmlmgifpfkijadehmhjccbefaeec/assets/comms/commsiframe.js"></script>This study explores the use of low-to-moderate intensity mindfulness-based exercises (“moving meditation”) to improve Veteran physical activity level and physiological health and psychological well-being including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. 12-week, pre- and post-test intervention, mixed methods pilot. Setting/Subjects: Veterans with a history of posttraumatic stress disorder receiving care at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. All Veterans participated in bi-weekly classroom instruction prior to a 6-10 minute warm up period of Qigong exercises, followed by a 30 minute period of Taijiquan/Qigong or mindful-meditative walking, followed by a 6-10 minute cool down period of light movement. Overall physical activity was measured for a one-week period before and after the 12-week intervention period with an Actigraph accelerometer. Physiological health indices were measured pre- and post- 12-week intervention, including salivary cortisol, Hgb A1C, fasting glucose, gonadal panel (FSH, LH, testosterone), albumin, hs-CRP, and sex hormone-binding globulin. Veterans’ mental well-being was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, the PTSD Checklist (PCL-C), the Cohen Perceived Stress scale, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Participants reported increased frequency and enjoyment of physical activity; improvement in Hgb A1C; improvement in balance and movement awareness; improvement in emotional regulation and focus; and reported reduced depression, stress and anxiety, and PTSD symptoms that benefitted social interactions. Moving meditation as part of a multifaceted treatment approach may increase physical activity, improve physiological health, and enhance mental well-being, particularly with respect to PTSD.https://journal-veterans-studies.org/articles/128taijiquan, tai chi, veterans, physical activity, alternative medicine, mixed methods |
| spellingShingle | Shannon Munro Matthew Komelski Brian Lutgens Julian Lagoy Mark Detweiler Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study Journal of Veterans Studies taijiquan, tai chi, veterans, physical activity, alternative medicine, mixed methods |
| title | Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study |
| title_full | Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study |
| title_short | Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study |
| title_sort | improving the health of veterans though moving meditation practices a mixed methods pilot study |
| topic | taijiquan, tai chi, veterans, physical activity, alternative medicine, mixed methods |
| url | https://journal-veterans-studies.org/articles/128 |
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