Peculiarities of psycho-emotional and neurovegetative state in Ukrainian women who have experienced war-related stress and ways of its non-medicinal correction
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1
STATE INSTITUTION OF SCIENCE «CENTER OF INNOVATIVE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES» STATE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT, KYIV, UKR
2
V.M. GLUSHKOV INSTITUTE OF CYBERNETICS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE, KYIV, UKRAINE
Publication date: 2025-07-25
Wiadomości Lekarskie 2025;(6):1047-1053
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Aim: To investigate the peculiarities of psycho-emotional and neurovegetative disorders in women exposed to war-related stress and to assess the possibilities
of their correction by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Transcendental Meditation (TM).
Materials and Methods: The study involved 72 women, 35 of whom had experienced high-intensity stress and 37 of whom were in the control group. The
psychoemotional state was assessed by the DASS-21 test and a screening test for post-traumatic stress disorder. The neurovegetative state was assessed by
mathematical analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). The main group was divided into subgroups that received correction using CBT or TM.
Results: In the main group exposed to the stressors of war, a higher level of anxiety, depression, PTSD score, and neurovegetative imbalance (decreased total
adaptation reserve [SDNN], decreased parasympathetic regulation activity [RMSSD], increased vegetative balance index [LF/HF], indicating a shift towards
sympathicotonia) was found. After the correction, both subgroups (CBT and TM) showed a decrease in anxiety, depression and stress. TM showed a more
pronounced corrective effect on neurovegetative regulation and some indicators of psycho-emotional state (anxiety) compared to CBT.
Conclusions: A war significantly affects the psycho-emotional and neurovegetative state of women. Both of the applied non-medicated methods (CBT and
TM) showed a significant corrective effect. The results of the study confirm the positive effects of TM and indicate the feasibility of its use for psychological
support of persons exposed to the stress factors of war.