Evaluation of Outcomes Following Surf Therapy

Depression Clinical Trial

Official title:

Evaluation of Health Outcomes Following the NMCSD Surf Therapy Program

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02857751
• Other study ID #: NMCSD.2016.0032
• Status: Completed
• Start date: June 1, 2016
• Est. completion date: December 31, 2018

Study information

• Verified date: August 2021
• Source: United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

The current study evaluates psychological and physical health outcomes for active-duty service members following participation in an established surf therapy program. Participants complete assessments before and after the surf therapy program, as well as brief assessments before and after each surf therapy session.

Description:

The proposed study would evaluate whether an existing surf therapy program that is part of the Wounded, Ill, and Injured (WII) Wellness Program at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), significantly reduces both psychological symptoms (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, negative affect, lack of positive affect) and physical symptoms (e.g., pain, sleep) among active-duty service members. Psychological and physical symptoms will be assessed before beginning the surf program and at program completion. In addition, brief assessments of mood and symptoms will be completed before and after each individual surf therapy session.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 75
• Est. completion date: December 31, 2018
• Est. primary completion date: December 15, 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Active-duty military service members seeking surf therapy at NMCSD and have been medically cleared to participate

• Diagnosis of either a psychological (e.g., PTSD, depression) or physical (e.g., amputated limb; traumatic brain injury) condition that served as a reason for referral

Exclusion Criteria:

• Service members who cannot receive medical clearance to participate in the NMCSD surf therapy program

• Service members who have previously participated in the NMCSD surf therapy program

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Depression
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Surf therapy
The NMCSD surf therapy program is approximately 6 weeks in duration. Each surf therapy session lasts 2-3 hours and occurs in a group setting that can accommodate up to 20 service members per session. Each service member is paired with a surf instructor who works with him or her each week for the 6-week session. Goals are individually-tailored to the service member (based on participant's level of comfort in the water, experience with surfing, etc.) and can incorporate both physical and psychological objectives.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Naval Medical Center San Diego	San Diego	California

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego	Naval Health Research Center

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (3)

Glassman LH, Otis NP, Michalewicz-Kragh B, Walter KH. Gender Differences in Psychological Outcomes Following Surf Therapy Sessions among U.S. Service Members. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 27;18(9). pii: 4634. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18094634. — View Citation

Otis, N. P., Walter, K. H., Glassman, L. H., Ray, T. N., Michalewicz-Kragh, B., & Thomsen, C. J. (2020). Effects of PTSD and MDD comorbidity on psychological changes during surf therapy sessions for active duty service members. Special Issue of Global Jou

Walter, K. H., Otis, N. P., Ray, T. N., Powell, A. L., Glassman, L. H., Michalewicz-Kragh, B., & Thomsen, C. J. (2019). Breaking the Surface: Psychological Outcomes among U.S. active duty service members following a surf therapy program. Psychology of Spo

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8)	Self-reported depression symptoms	From pre- to post-program (e.g., approximately 6-8 weeks)
Secondary	Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)	Report of satisfaction with the surf therapy program	From pre- to post-program (e.g., approximately 6-8 weeks)