Study highlights the need for more research on trauma and other body-mind therapies

Norris Cotton Cancer CenterFeb 9 2015

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.