Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa

Abstract

The study evaluated the mental health outcomes following a 12-week neurophysiological tremor intervention among adults in the Ekurhuleni region with trauma-related stressors. A quantitative methodology was used grounded in the Polyvagal theory, employing Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Spearman’s correlations to analyse the relationships between ACE dimensions (abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction) and trauma-related outcomes. The research objectives were: (1) to explore childhood experiences of traumatic events and adult life adversities, (2) to determine a correlation between adverse child events and the other dependent variables (e.g., somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, as well as posttraumatic growth and resilience), (3) to determine the effect of the neurophysiological tremor intervention on the somatic symptoms, (4) to determine the effect of the intervention on anxiety, and depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, (5) to determine the effect of the intervention on posttraumatic growth, and (6) resilience. The results revealed that 73.5% of the participants experienced physical childhood abuse, followed by emotional neglect, household substance abuse and household mental illness during childhood. Findings revealed significant correlations between household dysfunction and avoidance symptoms and between abuse and anxiety. The study demonstrated significant improvements in posttraumatic stress symptoms and their subdomains (i.e. intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations, and hyperarousal symptoms). Participants reported enhanced growth across posttraumatic growth dimensions (i.e. relating to others, personal strength, and an appreciation of life) and resilience. The study contributes to the growing evidence reinforcing neurophysiological tremor interventions for trauma recovery, emphasising ANS self-regulation for psychophysiological recovery.