Non-pharmacological treatments, particularly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, are found highly effective and preferable in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The methodology for this review involved a comprehensive search of twelve databases yielding fifty-five relevant studies published between 2008 and 2025. These studies reported on numerous interventions for PTSD including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), laughter therapy, acupuncture, dietary modifications, and yoga, all subjected to randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses for therapeutic effectiveness.
The findings indicate that non-pharmacological therapies offer substantial benefits in managing PTSD, especially for those specifically sensitive to medicinal treatments. The most effective and consistent results were observed with MBSR and CBT, indicating the importance of cognitive restructuring and mindfulness. While dietary modifications, yoga, acupuncture, and laughter therapy all contributed to stress relief or emotional regulation, EMDR showed significant potency in processing traumatic memories without the need for verbalization. These methods foster resilience, self-control, and autonomy.
