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Investigators push for substantive study of body-mind therapy approaches

Date:
February 4, 2015
Source:
Norris Cotton Cancer Center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Summary:
Investigators note the lack of hypothesized scientific models for the mechanisms of action responsible for outcomes in Somatic Experiencing(SE) trauma therapy and other body-mind therapies.
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In a Theory and Hypothesis paper titled "Somatic Experiencing: Using Interoception and Proprioception as Core Elements of Trauma Therapy," published today in Frontiers in Psychology, Dartmouth investigators Peter Payne, SEP, and Mardi Crane-Godreau, PhD, note the lack of hypothesized scientific models for the mechanisms of action responsible for outcomes in Somatic Experiencing® (SE) trauma therapy and other body-mind therapies.

Pointing to the well-established association of stress with mortality from cancer and many other diseases, the team spoke of the need for more research into the mechanisms through which SE and similar therapies resolve stress, trauma, and their co-morbidities. "This perspective explores the interactions between the motor, autonomic and immune systems, and offers a rational approach to the study of both healthy and maladaptive responses to stress and trauma," said Crane-Godreau.

Payne, SE founder Peter Levine, and Crane-Godreau present the theory through a composite case study of a SE treatment, and offer a possible neurophysiological rationale for the mechanisms involved. They present a theory of trauma and chronic stress as a functional dysregulation of the "Core Response Network." Clarifying the concept of the Core Response Network, a new concept originated by Payne and Crane-Godreau, Payne explained, "We are talking about sub-cortical, largely unconscious responses. They involve in particular, the autonomic nervous system, the emotional motor system, the reticular arousal systems and the limbic system. We believe that it is the persistent maladaptation of the Core Response Network that is the essence of the stress and trauma."

SE is a form of trauma therapy which emphasizes guiding the client's attention to interoceptive, kinesthetic, and proprioceptive experience. Levine, a co-author on the publication, claims that this kind of inner attention, in addition to the use of kinesthetic and interoceptive imagery, can lead to the resolution of symptoms of chronic and traumatic stress and to increased resilience and well-being.

"We believe that this paper will facilitate future research and open a wider discussion of the neuroscience behind the efficacy of the body-oriented stress therapies," Crane-Godreau explained. "We hope that this will include studies of neuro-immune interactions." Payne and Crane-Godreau suggest that future high quality clinical studies are essential.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Norris Cotton Cancer Center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Peter Payne, Peter A. Levine, Mardi A. Crane-Godreau. Somatic experiencing: using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 2015; 6 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093

Cite This Page:

Norris Cotton Cancer Center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. "Investigators push for substantive study of body-mind therapy approaches." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 February 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150204125552.htm>.
Norris Cotton Cancer Center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. (2015, February 4). Investigators push for substantive study of body-mind therapy approaches. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150204125552.htm
Norris Cotton Cancer Center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. "Investigators push for substantive study of body-mind therapy approaches." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150204125552.htm (accessed March 19, 2024).

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