Pranayama for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Exclusion Criteria

• •Pre-existing mental or somatic conditions that are unlikely to result in correct or safe performance of pranayama:
• •1. Substance dependence current use (ICD-10 F10.X, F11.X).
• •2. Dementia (ICD-10 F00-F03)
• •3. Somatoform Disorder (ICD F45.X) of moderate or severe degree according to DSM-5 300.82: ≥ 2 reactions (cognitive, emotional, or behavioral) to somatic symptoms (≥ 2 criterion-B)
• •4. Severe cardiovascular disease: presence of cardiac or vascular implants or grafts, e.g., pacemaker (ICD-10 Z95.X), condition after organ or tissue transplantation (ICD-10 Z94.X)
• •5. Acute adverse events occurring during pranayama at baseline (including neck pain, subjective sensation of pressure in the lungs, anxiety / panic)
• •Cancer diagnosis in the past 5 years (ICD-10 C00-C97, D37-48)
• •Pregnancy / breastfeeding
• •Regular pranayama practice in the last 12 months