Survivors of complex childhood trauma (CCT) tend to develop distinctive mental health challenges later on in adulthood, which may be exacerbated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. CCT survivors often struggle with self-regulation, making it difficult to tolerate the distress associated with “gold-standard” trauma-processing therapies for survivors of single-incident and adult-onset trauma. Yoga can enhance self-regulation, through physical movements, breathing techniques, meditative focus, and ethical guidelines of behaviour. This dissertation encompasses the creation of a new approach for teaching yoga to trauma survivors, called TIME yoga. This approach is based on a neuropsychological understanding of the bio-psycho-social alterations that CCT survivors undergo. Chapter 1 details the methods employed in this series of dissertation studies. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 26 adult survivors of CCT. Mental health, emotional functioning, resilience, and cognitive functioning were assessed via subjective and objective measures at two time points (i.e., pre- and post- participation in the online yoga program or waitlist). Chapter 2 is a retrospective and cross-sectional study describing survivors’ pre-intervention psychological and cognitive functioning during the pandemic, and evaluating the impact of trauma at particular developmental stages. Regression analyses revealed particular implications of adolescent and young-childhood trauma. Chapter 3 presents a manual of TIME yoga and feasibility data from the initial RCT, supporting both feasibility and safety of the program. Chapter 4 underscores yoga-related improvements in depressive symptoms, interoceptive awareness, and executive functioning. Using both repeated-measures ANOVAs and clinically meaningful indicators of change, this study illustrates how TIME yoga effectively improved survivors’ self-regulation during the global health crisis. Future directions for program development and evaluation are discussed. / Graduate / 2023-04-11

No / The European RHAPSODY project sought to develop and test an online information and support programme for caregivers of individuals diagnosed with young onset dementia. The objectives were to assess user acceptability and satisfaction with the programme and to test outcome measures for a larger effectiveness study. DESIGN: A pilot randomised controlled trial in England, France, and Germany was conducted with 61 caregivers for adults with young onset Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal degeneration. Evaluations at baseline, week 6, and week 12 assessed user acceptability and satisfaction. Use of the programme was measured from online back-end data. Qualitative feedback on user experiences was collected via semi-structured interviews. Measures of caregiver well-being (self-efficacy, stress, burden, frequency of patient symptoms, and caregiver reactions) were explored for use in a subsequent trial. RESULTS: Participants logged in online on average once a week over a 6-week period, consulting approximately 31% of programme content. Seventy percent of participants described the programme as useful and easy to use. Eighty-five percent expressed intent to use the resource in the future. Reductions in reported levels of stress and caregivers' negative reactions to memory symptoms were observed following use of the programme. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that the RHAPSODY programme was acceptable and useful to caregivers. The programme may be complementary to existing services in responding to the specific needs of families affected by young onset dementia. Distribution of the programme is underway in England, France, Germany, and Portugal.