80 Participants Needed

Exercise Training for PTSD

KS
MC
Overseen ByMiriam C Morey, PhD
Age: 65+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among military Veterans and is more than just a psychological condition; PTSD has profound negative impacts on health, function, and quality of life. Older Veterans are the largest patient population served by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and many have lived with PTSD for 40+ years. Veterans with PTSD engage in low levels of physical activity and spend much of their time in sedentary activities, adding to their risk of physical disability. The benefits of exercise on mental health and physical well-being in older adults are well-substantiated, but the effects of exercise training on late-life PTSD symptoms is a new area of study. This study is designed to examine the effects of 6 months of supervised exercise training on PTSD symptoms and PTSD-related conditions (e.g., functional impairment, sleep) in 188 older Veterans with PTSD.

Research Team

KS

Katherine Shepherd Hall, PhD

Principal Investigator

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older Veterans with PTSD who are registered at Durham VAHCS, live within 50 miles of the fitness facility, and have been diagnosed with PTSD. It's not for those with end-stage liver disease, dialysis patients, significant cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's or Dementia, severe neurological disorders or seizure history in the last 5 years, certain psychiatric disorders with psychosis in the past 5 years, uncontrolled diabetes without active management, recent suicidal ideation or hospitalization for suicidality.

Inclusion Criteria

I live within 50 miles of the fitness facility.
I have been diagnosed with PTSD.
Veteran status
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have not had serious thoughts of suicide or been hospitalized for suicidality in the last 6 months.
I have not had a neurological disorder, systemic illness affecting my brain, or seizures in the last 5 years.
My diabetes is not under control, with high blood sugar levels and no current treatment.
See 5 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 6 months of supervised exercise training to assess effects on PTSD symptoms and related conditions

6 months
Regular supervised exercise sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Exercise Training
Trial Overview The study tests if a supervised exercise training program can improve symptoms of PTSD and related conditions such as functional impairment and sleep quality over six months. The effects will be compared to a control group receiving Healthy Aging Attention Control (HA-ATC).
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: ExerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Progressive, multi-component supervised exercise training group.
Group II: Healthy Aging Attention ControlActive Control1 Intervention
A health education program that addresses topics relevant to older adults.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,691
Recruited
3,759,000+
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