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Publication date: 25 January 2010

Maartje Cathelijne de Jong and Cornelis Hendrikus Boersma

Exposure therapy is a widely used treatment for patients with post-traumatic stress dis -order. It involves reduction of fear through progressive exposure to frightening stimuli…

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Abstract

Exposure therapy is a widely used treatment for patients with post-traumatic stress dis -order. It involves reduction of fear through progressive exposure to frightening stimuli in a therapeutic environment. Here we propose a new method designed to improve the effectiveness of exposure therapy. We hypothesized that device-guided breathing during exposure therapy can increase the capability of the patient to undergo effective exposure. The successful application of the method is described for a single patient. Using a device to slow and regularize breathing, the patient was calmed and experienced a greater sense of control and a profound effect of the exposure. The use of the breathing-guiding device is believed to reduce arousal level and excitability of sympathetic “fight-flight” behaviors. The present study suggests that device-guided breathing integrated with exposure therapy may provide a practically feasible and potentially promising non-pharmacological treatment after trauma.

Details

Mental Illness, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2036-7465

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