# An Enhanced Mind-body Intervention to Reduce Disability and Pain in Veterans with PTSD

> **NIH VA I21** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to afflict thousands of Veterans and is associated with
physical limitations, poor social function, and lower subjective well-being in addition to specific PTSD
symptoms. Research also indicates that Veterans with PTSD are also more likely to report the presence of
chronic pain, and they report greater pain severity and pain-related disability than those without PTSD.
Notably, musculoskeletal conditions such as chronic low back pain (cLBP) and neck pain (cNP) are leading
causes of disability among military personnel and Veterans. Mind-body interventions such as yoga and
mantram repetition (MR) have very few side effects and are evidence-based non-pharmacological options for
treating both chronic pain and PTSD.
The objectives of the proposed project are to examine the feasibility of delivering a combined yoga and MR
intervention to VA patients with PTSD and cLBP and/or cNP within a randomized controlled trial study design.
MR enhances the active yoga intervention for this specific population by providing a portable tool for managing
stress and anxiety, and improving mental and emotional functioning in situations of daily life. We will recruit
and randomize 32 Veterans with PTSD to either enhanced yoga interventions or a relaxation/health education
(R/HE) comparison intervention. The goal of the pilot randomized trial is to demonstrate the acceptability of the
interventions, to study the feasibility of recruitment, retention, adherence, randomization, and assessments
with military veterans with PTSD, and to measure any adverse events. Data will inform plans for a full-scale
effectiveness RCT.
Researchers and content experts will adapt and blend two manualized interventions (MR and yoga) into a
single manualized and acceptable intervention. In addition, the existing yoga intervention and MR manuals will
be adapted to provide a structured intervention guide for instructors. Next, we will recruit and screen 32
Veterans with PTSD. Eligible participants will be randomized to either the enhanced yoga interventions or the
(R/HE) comparison intervention. Assessments will occur at baseline, 12-weeks, and again 6-weeks after the
intervention ends (18-weeks). The enhanced yoga intervention will consist of 1x weekly instructor-led yoga
sessions lasting approximately 75 minutes, augmented by home practice of yoga for 20 minutes/day. The
R/HE control intervention will be manualized and will meet weekly for 12 weeks for approximately 75 minutes
per week. Short homework assignments will be included. We will track and measure adverse events,
recruitment rates, attendance and home practice rates, use of MR and yoga principles in daily life, attrition
rates, and time to complete assessments. Questionnaires will assess pain-related function, pain, PTSD
symptoms, insomnia/sleep, alcohol use, and quality of life. We will also conduct qualitative interviews with 12
study participants to examine acceptability, recommendation...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9922133
- **Project number:** 5I21RX003009-02
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Erik J Groessl
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2021-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9922133

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9922133, An Enhanced Mind-body Intervention to Reduce Disability and Pain in Veterans with PTSD (5I21RX003009-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9922133. Licensed CC0.

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