NCT02295995

Exercise and PTSD in Older Veterans

Exercise as an Adjuvant Therapy for Veterans With PTSD

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 54 (actual)
• Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Federal
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms impact adherence to a 12-week physical activity program and whether exercise can help improve PTSD symptoms and health outcomes in older Veterans. Veterans over the age of 60 with PTSD were be recruited to participate in a 12-week physical activity program consisting of aerobic and strengthening activities. 54 participants were randomized to an intervention arm (n=36) or usual care wait-list control (n=18).

Detailed description

There is substantial evidence that physical inactivity contributes to poorer physical health outcomes in older adults. There is a paucity of work examining physical activity in Veterans with PTSD. Consequently, the efficacy of exercise as a beneficial adjunctive therapy in the treatment for PTSD symptoms and related health sequelae has not been established. Methods: Approximately 50 Veterans 60 years and older with PTSD will be recruited to participate in a 12-week physical activity program consisting of aerobic and strength-training activities. Participants will be randomized to an intervention arm or usual care wait-list control. Outcomes: Changes in physical function, PTSD symptom severity, and aerobic endurance will be assessed between the two study arms. Summary: This pilot trial will extend the investigators' understanding of the physical and psychological benefits of physical activity in Veterans with PTSD. The results from this study will be used to be used to develop a larger, randomized controlled exercise trial for Veterans with PTSD. Once new, effective exercise therapies for Veterans with PTSD are established, we can augment traditional PTSD therapy with exercise therapy to promote the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases common in this vulnerable population.

Conditions

• Post-traumatic

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise as an Adjuvant Therapy for Veterans with PTSD	Methods: Approximately 50 Veterans 60 years and older with PTSD will be recruited to participate in a 12-week physical activity program consisting of aerobic and strength-training activities. Participants will be randomized to an intervention arm or usual care wait-list control. Outcomes: Changes in physical function, PTSD symptom severity, and aerobic endurance will be assessed between the two study arms. Secondary outcomes include compliance with the intervention, pain, sleep, and psychological well-being.

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-12-18
• Primary completion: 2018-05-08
• Completion: 2019-04-15
• First posted: 2014-11-20
• Last updated: 2020-01-29
• Results posted: 2020-01-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States