Analysis of Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness-based Yoga Therapies

Abstract: Trauma can have a significant and long-lasting impact on people; it frequently shows up as anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The interaction between the physiological and psychological reactions to trauma emphasizes the significance of holistic healing approaches. Studies suggest that conventional therapeutic approaches might not adequately tackle the intricacies of trauma, which has led to the investigation of body-based therapies like yoga. Trauma-Informed Yoga (TIY) places a strong emphasis on comprehending how trauma affects the body and mind while fostering safety and security that values empowerment, choice, and building trust. Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) emphasizes physical practices that can be fundamental in healing by encouraging awareness and a connection to the body. This method integrates psychological therapy to assist people in navigating their trauma in a safe environment. Both strategies aim to create a secure and encouraging environment that promotes healing via bodily awareness and mindfulness. In clinical research, the relative effectiveness of different approaches is poorly understood. The present work assesses TIY and TSY therapies based on trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. PTSD, anxiety, and depression results were reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published in the past ten years. The results show that TIY and TSY have unique benefits. It is challenging to validate the efficacy of these approaches based on current clinical outcomes. The efficacy of these approaches is specific to trauma history and intensity, gender, age, duration, and mode of practice. Further clinical studies focusing on these variables would help better understand the approaches in clinical settings. keywords: trauma-informed, trauma-sensitive, yoga intervention, yoga clinical trials.