Meditation Could be Alternative Treatment for PTSD
FRIDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2007
MIAMI - Researchers from Miami and Ohio State universities are working on a project titled “Treatment of Trauma Survivors: Effects of Meditation Practice on Clients' Mental Health Outcomes.” This project aims to determine if the ancient technique of Tibetan meditation can help victims of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Researchers are studying women diagnosed with PTSD who live in Amethyst House, a women’s treatment program for alcohol and drug addiction in Columbus. They will be assisted by Tibetan monk Geshe Kalsang Damdhul of the Institute of Higher Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala, India.
Deborah Akers, Miami visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology, said, "Participants are being taught specialized meditation techniques and will be guided through meditation for a period of six weeks." Results of this two-year study could provide an alternative treatment for victims of PTSD.