Dr Rahul Khanna

Summary

This study reviews how treatments that focus on interoception—the awareness of internal bodily sensations like heartbeat and breath—can help people with posttraumatic stress (PTS). The research finds that approaches like mindfulness and certain exercises are effective in improving PTS symptoms. Interventions that involve paying attention to bodily signals provide short-term relief, while integrated exercise routines offer longer-term benefits. Though promising, more studies are needed to understand exactly how these treatments work.

Collaborators: M. Berk (PI), M. Hopwood, D. Forbes, M. O’Donnell, R. Kanaan, O. Dean, M. Mohebbi, R. Khanna, G. Roebuck, W. Jensen

Funder: Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - $3.17 million

Key links

Find out more and participate www.phoenixaustralia.org/research-projects/stop-trial/

Public abstract from the funding application

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and debilitating mental illness. Current treatments for PTSD include psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. Many patients are unable to tolerate psychotherapy for PTSD and drop out of it. In addition, its effectiveness is limited. Up to 50% of patients who receive psychotherapy do not benefit from it. Antidepressant medications have only small benefits in PTSD. They also have unpleasant side effects that can make patients unwilling to take them. There is an urgent need to develop new treatments for PTSD that are effective and well- tolerated.

Video