A Qualitative Study Exploring Yoga in Veterans with PTSD Symptoms

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin E. Cushing ◽  
Kathryn L. Braun ◽  
Susan Alden
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Body Awareness ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Active Duty Personnel ◽  
Belief Model

Abstract Quantitative studies of yoga have reported reduced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in veterans, but little is known about how and why veterans are attracted to and stick with a yoga practice. Guided by the Health Belief Model, this study examined veterans' perceptions of the benefits, barriers, and motivations to continue practicing trauma-sensitive yoga. Interviews were conducted with nine individuals, five of whom completed a 6-week trauma-sensitive yoga intervention designed for veterans and four who did not complete the intervention. Transcripts were analyzed for themes. The benefits identified by veterans were finding mental stillness, body awareness, and social connection. The barriers were perceptions that yoga is socially unacceptable, especially for men, and physically unchallenging. Understanding these benefits and barriers can help to make yoga more attractive to service members and veterans. For example, medical personnel can refer service members and veterans to yoga not only for PTSD symptoms, but also to address back pain and to reduce isolation. Access to male yoga instructors, especially those who are themselves service members or veterans, could be expanded, and classes could be integrated into physical activity routines required of active-duty personnel. Promotional materials can feature male service members and veterans with captions related to yoga as a way to increase resiliency, self-sufficiency, and physical and mental mission readiness. Findings from this study can help the Department of Defense and the Veterans Health Administration implement yoga as an adjunct or alternative treatment for veterans with PTSD symptoms.

scholarly journals Usability Assessment of the Rehabilitation Lower-limb Orthopedic Assistive Device by Service Members and Veterans With Lower Limb Loss

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Symsack ◽  
Ignacio Gaunaurd ◽  
Akshay Thaper ◽  
Barbara Springer ◽  
Christopher Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Constructive Feedback ◽  
Rehabilitative Care ◽  
System Usability Scale

Abstract Introduction Telehealth is an increasingly common approach to improve healthcare delivery, especially within the Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense (DoD). Telehealth has diminished many challenges to direct access for clinical follow-up; however, the use of mobile telehealth for specialty rehabilitative care is emerging and is referred to as telerehabilitation. As early adopters of telehealth, the Veterans Affairs and DoD have supported collaborated efforts for programs designed to increase the access and quality of rehabilitative care while improving the functional ability of our service members (SMs) and veterans with lower limb amputation (LLA). The DoD and Veterans Health Administration collaborated on a Mobile Device Outcomes-based Rehabilitation Program (MDORP) to help injured SMs and veterans with LLA. The MDORP project utilized a mobile health system called the Rehabilitative Lower Limb Orthopedic Accommodating Device (ReLOAD) to assess walking quality. The ReLOAD system includes real-time auditory biofeedback to notify the user of their most prominent gait deviation and then recommends exercises that address specific balance and strength impairments. The purpose of this study was to describe the responses to a postintervention survey evaluating the feasibility and usability of ReLOAD completed by SMs and veterans with LLA who used the system for 5 months. Materials and Methods A link to an anonymous usability survey was emailed to all participants who completed MDORP. The survey was modeled after the System Usability Scale, with agreeableness to items rated on a 5-point Likert-style questionnaire in addition to open feedback. Data visualization of Likert-style questionnaires was conducted using ggplot2 and reshape2 statistical packages and was analyzed using R. We obtained institutional review board approval through both Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Results The majority of participants reported that they would use the system again for home rehabilitation (65%) and that auditory biofeedback helped them walk better (59%). Participants also suggested that future work should include a greater variety of exercise options and the use of smart phones for the ReLOAD application in addition to the iPad tablet. Conclusions The participants provided positive and constructive feedback that will enhance the value and usability of telerehabilitation interventions like the ReLOAD system for future users.

scholarly journals Telehealth Forging Ahead: Overcoming Barriers in Licensure to Improve Access to Care for Service Members

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Katie Ambrose Stout ◽  
Kristina Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Department Of Defense ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Improve Access

The telehealth initiatives of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA) continue to test the limits of technology to provide the best care to our service members, veterans and their families.  The DoD and VHA have credentialing systems in place to allow clinical practice between facilities. New legislation in the form of the Servicemembers’ Telemedicine and E-Health Portability (STEP) Act will potentially expand telehealth clinical services across state lines into the homes of our service members and veterans.

An Intervention With Meaning

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 376-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke A. Levandowski ◽  
Constance M. Cass ◽  
Stephanie N. Miller ◽  
Janet E. Kemp ◽  
Kenneth R. Conner
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Safety Planning ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Suicide Method ◽  
Treatment Providers ◽  
Interactive Nature ◽  
Behavioral Health Treatment

Abstract. Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health-care system utilizes a multilevel suicide prevention intervention that features the use of standardized safety plans with veterans considered to be at high risk for suicide. Aims: Little is known about clinician perceptions on the value of safety planning with veterans at high risk for suicide. Method: Audio-recorded interviews with 29 VHA behavioral health treatment providers in a southeastern city were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative methodology. Results: Clinical providers consider safety planning feasible, acceptable, and valuable to veterans at high risk for suicide owing to the collaborative and interactive nature of the intervention. Providers identified the types of veterans who easily engaged in safety planning and those who may experience more difficulty with the process. Conclusion: Additional research with VHA providers in other locations and with veteran consumers is needed.

Veterans Health Administration Mental Health Program Evaluation Technical Manual

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Horovitz-Lennon ◽  
Katherine E. Watkins ◽  
Harold Alan Pincus ◽  
Lisa R. Shugarman ◽  
Brad Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Technical Manual
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