Non-pharmacological technologies in rehabilitation programs for individuals with post-stress disorders

AIM: To analyze the mechanisms and effectiveness of a rehabilitation program combining psychocorrection and transcutaneous electrical stimulation in individuals with post-stress disorders engaged in high-risk professions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 120 men with repeated participation in combat operations, demonstrating high levels of stress. Within this group, two categories were identified (each comprising 60 individuals): active-duty personnel and veterans, further subdivided by age into those under 40 and those over 50 years old. The majority of men, particularly those in the older age group, exhibited the development of neuropsychiatric and somatic disorders of varying severity, with cardiovascular conditions being the most prevalent. Psychological and electrophysiological assessments supplemented the overall evaluation of participants’ health status. The practical aspect of the study initially compared the effectiveness of two types of psychorelaxation—autogenic training and breathing exercises—followed by an additional phase incorporating transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

RESULTS: The assessment of psychocorrection therapy demonstrated its greater effectiveness in middle-aged individuals. The achieved results were largely independent of the chosen psychological intervention method; however, in the older age group, breathing training proved to be more effective. Additionally, while psychorelaxation had a positive impact on the somatic health of middle-aged individuals, it was insufficiently effective for the older group. Given this, breathing training was supplemented with transcutaneous electrical stimulation, which significantly enhanced treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms the effectiveness of the proposed rehabilitation program and underscores the potential for implementing new health restoration programs for socially significant populations.