The Force of Breath: Can mind-body practices be used to alleviate trauma in Ukraine war victims?

Methods

Summary

Data and information will be gathered through

1) observation and completion of survey by counselors, and

2) pre and post survey by clients.

Below is a draft of the survey which will be further honed in collaboration with the counselors:

General Information

1. Counselor ID number
2. Client ID number
3. Location/context of meeting: name of city, site and program
4. Individual or Group meeting
5. Brief description of client(s) (soldier returning to duty, veteran, civilian, civilian refugee)
6. Brief description of length/nature of exposure to conflict
7. Length of initial meeting
8. List of methods used in session – to be determined by counselor and categorized into somatic and non-somatic groups.

Questionnaire for Client

(questions 1 and 2 will be asked twice, pre and post session)

1. Do you believe that meeting with a counselor will be (was) helpful to you in coping with the current situation as impacted by the war? Yes No
2. Why will/will not (was/was not) this meeting be helpful (brief narrative)
3. Is counseling an area of health care that should be addressed?
4. Do you feel less anxious after this meeting? Yes No
5. DId this meeting offer you skills/knowledge for relieving anxiety that you will apply yourself after this meeting? Yes No
6. Which skills/knowledge do you expect to apply yourself to relieve anxiety after this meeting? (list to be determined by therapist depending on their methods, to be listed under two categories: somatic and non-somatic)

Yes, always.

Yes, in the case of war and extreme stress.

No, should be handled personally or with family.

Questionnaire for counselor/teacher

1. Why did client seek counseling?
2. Does client believe that general psychological health and wellness merits professional attention as a part of healthcare?
3. Did client exhibit trust in therapist/therapy at outset of meeting?
4. Did client exhibit trust in therapist/therapy at end of meeting?
5. Brief description of any change in the level of trust during the meeting.
6. Which methods elicited change in level trust? (list to be determined by therapist depending on their methods, to be listed under tow categories: somatic and non-somatic.
7. Did client experience decrease in anxiety during the meeting?
8. Which methods elicited change in anxiety level? (list to be determined by therapist depending on their methods, to be listed under two categories: somatic and non-somatic)

Voluntarily seeking social services

Referred/encouraged by health or social service staff

Required as part of a military, refugee or medical program

Challenges

The greatest challenge posed by this project is the uncertain landscape of war. I am working with a network of 'counselors' volunteering their time to the war relief effort and this network has been consistent and reliable. The Ukrainian government has announce a large 'decommissioning' of soldiers in March/April 2016. This will give us a reliable population of veterans to work with.

Pre Analysis Plan

I will work with the Quantitative Analysis Center at Wesleyan University to determine the best methods for analyzing results.