Evidence-based studies utilizing body-oriented
techniques with traumatized populations are virtually absent in the literature.
In this study, we report the effects of Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises
(TRE) on trauma-related symptoms in a community sample of East African refugees
resettled in the United States. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) was used
to assess symptom severity prior to and after eight weeks of performing the
TRE. Results showed a reduction in symptom severity for 36 out of 40 HTQ items,
and a significant reduction in overall average symptom severity for the
treatment group relative to a delayed treatment control. Statistical analyses
of these items showed that for the treatment group, but not the controls, there
was a significant reduction in symptom severity as well as the number of
symptoms. It was concluded that TRE is an effective means of improving the
trauma-related symptoms in East African refugees.
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