Utilising mindfulness and neuroscience: a case study of an Iranian refugee.

Utilising mindfulness and neuroscience: a case study of an Iranian refugee.

2012-12-01 00:00:00 25m

Mindfulness is one of the common therapeutic modalities utilised in the treatment of torture and trauma survivors suffering from PTSD. Evidence suggests that Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is reduced amongst torture and trauma survivors, and brain wave patterns can be significantly disturbed, with a slow beta-wave in the right pre-frontal lobe, resulting in poor cognitive capacities and reduced concentration.

In this presentation, Gordana focusses on the positive effect of Mindfulness on HRV and pre-frontal lobe brain wave activity, measuring pre and post treatment indicators. She illustrates this with a case study of a 49 year old Iranian woman who had experienced multiple traumas including the loss of her 2 sons. Her symptoms were consistent with a PTSD presentation, unresolved grief, low level HRV and slow beta-waves. The results suggest the effectiveness of Mindfulness for the stabilisation of the nervous system of torture and trauma survivors, and provide a novel insight into the relationship between Mindfulness and Neuroscience.

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STARTTS 2012

The neuroscience of psychotherapy : Healing the Social Brain

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The neuroscience of psychotherapy : The Healthy Aging Brain

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