Camp Pendleton Marines returning from overseas assignments with the psychological scars of combat have been helped with treatment by Scripps Healthresearchers, according to a new study.

The researchers treated active-duty Marines who had post-traumatic stress disorder with what is calledcomplementary and integrative medicine. Marines treated with the complementary methods, called "guided imagery" and "healing touch," showed significantly more recovery than a control group who didn't receive the treatment.

Results were published in the journalMilitary Medicine.

Those with PTSD can experience flashbacks to combat situations, nightmares, depression, feelings of hopelessness and emotional numbness.

A total of 123 active-duty Marines were studied, including 68 who received the complementary approaches along with treatment as usual. The other 55 received only the regular treatment.

Symptoms of those treated with the complementary methods dropped by more than 13 points on an 85-point scale that measures PTSD. The difference was enough to drop the average score of those treated below the level indicating PTSD.

Symptoms of the control group dropped by fewer than 5 points, with the average score remaining above the level indicating PTSD.

Study researchers wereMimi Guarneri, M.D., andRauni King, founders of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine.

Guarneri said the study demonstrated very strong statistical significance. The study reported that results had a probabilityof being due to chance of less than 1/20 of 1 percent. A value of 5 percent or less is generally considered statistically significant.

Although the methods may be useful for quickly reducing the suffering of returning soldiers, the study's authors said further research on their long-term effects is needed.

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MILITARY: PTSD reduced with integrative medicine, Scripps Health study finds