Movement therapy beneficial for people with PTSD
A therapy focused on the body and movement, known as psychomotor therapy (PMT), has been found to be beneficial for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This was researched by movement scientist Minke van de Kamp in her PhD research.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Patients may experience symptoms such as flashbacks, sleep disturbances, anger, panic, anxiety, or avoidance. Treatment for PTSD primarily consists of exposure therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and EMDR, movement scientist Minke van de Kamp explains. Exposure therapy involves exposing a patient to stimuli that remind them of the traumatic situation. EMDR addresses the trauma while incorporating a distracting stimulus, whereas CBT focuses on beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours.
These treatments have been proven effective. However, many patients continue to experience symptoms, says Van de Kamp. That is why she researched the effectiveness of psychomotor therapy, a treatment that utilises movement-based activities and body-oriented exercises.
Psychomotor therapy
The most suitable movement activity varies from patient to patient. “If patients feel weak or worthless, engaging in powerful movements such as strength training or boxing can help. For those experiencing high levels of tension in their body, activities like yoga or breathing exercises may be a better choice,” says Van de Kamp. “We use the body and movement to achieve mental progress. This approach is effective: my research shows that it helps reduce PTSD and depressive symptoms while also improving sleep quality.”
A key element of PMT is helping patients become more aware of their bodies, says Van de Kamp. “To feel how you breathe, where muscle tension is located, or where emotions are physically noticeable. By listening more closely to bodily signals and correctly interpreting them, people can take better care of themselves, both physically and mentally.”
Body experience
“On average, patients with PTSD feel very dissatisfied with their bodies, both in terms of appearance and function,” Van de Kamp explains. “Additionally, people with PTSD may find physical touch uncomfortable or even threatening. This can make it difficult to enjoy physical contact, such as a hug or a hand on the shoulder. It can also negatively impact the appreciation of sexuality.”
This negative body experience can contribute to a reduced quality of life and hinder the recovery process. Van de Kamp states: “It is therefore important to focus on improving body experience during treatment, so that patients can feel more comfortable and positive about their bodies again.”
Diagnosis
As part of her research, Van de Kamp also developed a psychomotor observation tool to provide insight into key aspects of treatment. “Sometimes, patients struggle to put their experiences into words, but when you reflect observations back to them, it aids their awareness and helps determine what is needed in therapy.”
“My research shows that psychomotor therapy makes a valuable contribution to the diagnosis of adults with PTSD,” says Van de Kamp. “PMT can be effective in reducing PTSD and depressive symptoms and can also improve sleep quality.” The positive results support the integration of PMT into standard treatment protocols to enhance patients' quality of life.
