RESEARCH

By Dr. IndranilL Basu-Ray

Dr. IndranilL Basu-Ray

MD, DNB (Card), FACP, FACC, DSc. (honoris Causa)
PHYSICIAN SCIENTIST VEDANTIST SPIRITUALIST
MEDITATOR YOGI

Research Interests

New Hope for Veterans: Simplifying PTSD Treatment with Yoga

Insights from “Yoga vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for Military Sexual Trauma–Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial”
Context and Challenge:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a persistent challenge among veterans, particularly stemming from military sexual trauma (MST). While Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is commonly prescribed, its effectiveness is often hampered by low initiation and high dropout rates. This research led by Belle Zaccari investigates an alternative approach: Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), comparing its efficacy against CPT for women veterans grappling with MST-related PTSD.
Study Synopsis:
Participants: 131 women veterans with MST-related PTSD.
Methodology: A randomized clinical trial allocating participants to either 10 sessions of TCTSY or 12 sessions of CPT.
Measurement Time Points: PTSD symptom severity was measured at baseline, mid-intervention, two weeks post-intervention, and three months post-intervention. Primary Metric: PTSD symptom severity assessed via the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).
Key findings:
Treatment Effectiveness: Both TCTSY and CPT led to reductions in PTSD symptom severity over time. No significant difference was found in the degree of symptom reduction between the two treatments at each measurement point, indicating both are effective.
Completion Rates: TCTSY boasted a 42.6% higher completion rate compared to CPT, suggesting a greater acceptance among participants.
Treatment Equivalence: Analyses indicated TCTSY is statistically equivalent to CPT in managing PTSD symptoms, positioning it as a potentially more engaging alternative.
Implications for Practice: The study’s findings suggest that TCTSY is as effective as CPT in reducing PTSD symptoms related to MST. Its higher completion rate indicates it might be a more acceptable form of treatment for many women veterans. This could lead to broader treatment options within the VA system, offering a patient-driven and potentially more engaging approach to tackling PTSD symptoms.
Concluding Thoughts:
It is clear that this study isn’t just about comparing two treatments; it’s about opening doors to new, effective ways of healing for our veterans with PTSD. By showing that trauma-sensitive yoga stands tall next to traditional therapy, we’re not just advocating for more options — we’re championing a more personalized and compassionate approach to care.
This isn’t just good news; it’s a ray of hope. It’s a message to our veterans that their well-being is at the forefront of scientific exploration and that their care can be as diverse and unique as their experiences.
As we move forward, let’s carry these insights with us. Let’s share them widely, discuss them openly, and apply them thoughtfully. Because in the end, it’s about more than just treatments and studies. It’s about people, healing, and the collective effort to ensure that every veteran has access to the care they need and deserve.
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38064219/
Your engagement matters. Share this newsletter to raise awareness and support advancements in PTSD treatments for veterans. Together, we can make a difference.

Research Interests

Yoga Therapy: A Complementary Treatment for Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure, a chronic condition affecting millions globally, has drawn attention in the field of holistic healthcare. Recent research presented at the American College of Cardiology Asia 2023 conference emphasizes the innovative role of yoga therapy in this context. This ground-breaking study reveals substantial benefits of yoga for heart failure patients, augmenting traditional medical treatments.
Here are the key aspects of this study: Study Overview: Participants: The study involved 75 heart failure patients from a tertiary care center in South India.
Intervention Group: 35 participants (31 men, 4 women) received yoga therapy along with medical treatment.
Control Group: 40 participants (30 men, 10 women) continued with standard medical therapy without yoga.
Methods: Echocardiographic parameters were measured to assess the impact of yoga therapy on heart failure patients.
Yoga Therapy Approach: Participants in the yoga group practiced various yoga techniques, including asana (physical exercises), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, and relaxation. Each session lasted about 60 minutes, and participants were advised to continue yoga at home for at least five days a week for 12 months.
Significant Findings: Improved Cardiovascular Function: There was a notable improvement in the left ventricular systolic function in the yoga group.
Quality of Life: The study demonstrated enhancements in endurance, strength, balance, symptom stability, and overall quality of life.
Physical and Psychological Benefits: The yoga group showed physical and psychological improvements, although no significant changes were noted in social and environmental health.
Conclusion and Implications: This research indicates that incorporating yoga therapy into standard medical management for heart failure can lead to significant improvements in both physical well-being and cardiac function. As such, yoga therapy may offer a valuable complementary treatment for heart failure patients. This study provides compelling evidence for the potential of yoga as a therapeutic tool in managing heart failure, highlighting its benefits not just for physical health but also for overall quality of life.

Dr. IndranilL Basu-Ray

MD, DNB (Card), FACP, FACC, DSc. (honoris Causa)
PHYSICIAN SCIENTIST VEDANTIST SPIRITUALIST
MEDITATOR YOGI

Publications

AHA SCIENTIFIC STATEMENT

on Meditation and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Subcutaneous Versus Transvenous Implantable Defibrillator Therapy

Complex Left Atrial Appendage Morphology is an independent risk factor for Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke

Projects

Use of Artificial Intelligence to delineate COVID infection in asymptomatic elderly people with Cardiovascular Disease.
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray
United States
Use of Artificial Intelligence to detect stress induced by COVID pandemic and its amelioration using Yoga. VT ablation in patients with LVAD; Parameters for success or failure.
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray
United States
Left atrial appendage morphology and the relation with cryptogenic stroke.
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray
United States
Diastolic Dysfunction as an independent risk factor for stroke in patients without atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray
United States
Delineation of the anatomical pathway for VT ablation.
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray
United States
The role of meditation in patients undergoing cardiac rehab in terms of mortality, morbidity, and MACE after STEMI.
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray
United States
LAA morphology, epicardial fat and relation to atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray
United States