The Role of Exercise in the Treatment of PTSD Symptoms

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This is an 8-week experimental, repeated-measures clinical trial randomizing 120 Service Members with symptoms of PTSD into one of four groups: 1) imaginal exercises of exposure therapy only, 2) aerobic exercise only, 3) imaginal exercises augmented with aerobic exercise, or 4) self-care.

Clinical Trial Description

One of the signature injuries of combat operations following 9/11 is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The most effective treatment for PTSD is exposure therapy where, under the supervision of a trained therapist, individuals are exposed to prolonged and repeated imagined images of the trauma until the images no longer cause severe anxiety. Various forms of exercise have been used to treat a broad range of depression and anxiety disorders and exercise has been used with some success to treat individuals with PTSD. Considering the population of otherwise healthy and physically active Service Members suffering from symptoms of PTSD, it seems possible that exercise might serve as an outlet for the emotional reactions experienced during therapy, decreasing emotional distress, and increasing the individual's tolerance to imaginal exposure serving as a powerful adjunct to exposure therapy. The purpose of this study to explore the role of exercise in the treatment of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), specifically determining if the efficacy of imaginal exercises, part of exposure therapy for PTSD, can be improved by augmenting the therapy with aerobic exercise. Towards this end, this 8-week experimental, repeated-measures clinical trial will randomize 120 Service Members with symptoms of PTSD into one of four groups: 1) imaginal exercises of exposure therapy only, 2) aerobic exercise only, 3) imaginal exercises augmented with aerobic exercise, or 4) self-care. ;

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT02649127
Study type	Interventional
Source	The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Contact
Status	Completed
Phase	N/A
Start date	February 2011
Completion date	May 2017

View Details

See also
Status	Clinical Trial	Phase
Completed	`NCT03384706` - A Comparison of CPT Versus ART Versus WL	N/A
Completed	`NCT03418129` - Neuromodulatory Treatments for Pain Management in TBI	N/A
Completed	`NCT03129204` - Sensation Awareness Focused Training for Spouses	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05651295` - A Precision Medicine Approach to Target Engagement for Emotion Regulation	N/A
Completed	`NCT05113277` - Development and Evaluation of a Tonic Immobility Focused Psychoeducational Intervention	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05327504` - Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans With SUD and PTSD	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05843695` - Enhancing Psychotherapy for Veterans and Service Members With PTSD and Anxiety	N/A
Active, not recruiting	`NCT05530642` - An Augmented Training Program for Preventing Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries Among Diverse Public Safety Personnel	N/A
Completed	`NCT00644423` - Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)	N/A
Completed	`NCT02989987` - NET for SGBV Survivors in Eastern DR Congo	N/A
Completed	`NCT02320799` - Randomized Controlled Trial of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression and PTSD Among HIV+ Women in Kenya	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT02293291` - Thermal Clinic Treatment in Gulf War Illness	Phase 1/Phase 2
Completed	`NCT02242136` - Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Aggressive Behavior in Soldiers and Ex-combatants	N/A
Completed	`NCT01911585` - Efficacy of 60-minute Versus 90-minute Sessions in Treating PTSD Using Prolonged Exposure	N/A
Completed	`NCT02720497` - The Efficacy of 90-Minute Versus 60-Minute Sessions of Prolonged Exposure for PTSD	N/A
Terminated	`NCT01408641` - Topiramate for Alcohol Use in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder	N/A
Completed	`NCT01693978` - Contingency Outcomes in Prolonged Exposure	N/A
Completed	`NCT01469754` - Longitudinal Survey Analysis in Lymphoma Survivors	N/A
Completed	`NCT02362477` - Telemental Health and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Female Veterans With Military-related PTSD	Phase 3
Terminated	`NCT01239173` - Emotional Memory Reactivation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder	Phase 3