Exercise Training for PTSD

Overseen By Miriam C Morey, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorders, Suicidal ideation, Neurological disorders, Uncontrolled diabetes, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine how exercise can help older Veterans with PTSD feel better. Researchers seek to find out if regular exercise over six months can improve symptoms such as trouble sleeping and daily functioning. Participants will either join a supervised exercise program (Exercise Training) or attend a health education program. Veterans with PTSD who are registered for care at the Durham VA Health Care System and live within 50 miles of the fitness facility might be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides Veterans with a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance PTSD treatment options.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that exercise training is safe for older Veterans with PTSD?

Research has shown that exercise is generally safe and can benefit people with PTSD. One study found that exercise reduced PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Participants reported better sleep and less pain.

Another review indicated that exercise might help manage stress in the body, which is especially beneficial for those with PTSD. The studies suggest that exercise is well-tolerated, with no major negative effects reported. While not a new treatment for PTSD, exercise is considered safe and could improve both mental and physical health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using exercise training for PTSD because it offers a non-pharmacological approach that could complement or even replace traditional therapies like medication and talk therapy. Unlike conventional treatments, which often focus on chemical imbalances or cognitive processing, exercise training leverages physical activity to potentially improve mental health by boosting endorphins and reducing stress. This method is particularly appealing as it promotes overall well-being and could have fewer side effects compared to medication. Additionally, exercise can be tailored to individual needs, making it a versatile option for people of all ages and fitness levels.

What evidence suggests that exercise training is effective for PTSD?

Research has shown that exercise can complement PTSD treatment by improving symptoms such as anxiety and depression. In this trial, participants will join either an exercise training group or a healthy aging attention control group. Studies have found that people with PTSD who exercise often sleep better and experience improved mental health. Increased exercise may lead to greater benefits. One study found that a mindfulness-based exercise program reduced PTSD symptoms more effectively than usual care. Trauma experts also believe exercise can help manage PTSD. These findings suggest that exercise can effectively reduce PTSD symptoms and enhance quality of life. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Katherine Shepherd Hall, PhD

Principal Investigator

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

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.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Progressive, multi-component supervised exercise training group.

Group II: Healthy Aging Attention Control Active Control 1 Intervention

A health education program that addresses topics relevant to older adults.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388125000696

Optimal exercise dosage and type for improving post ... Conclusion. Exercise exerted a non-linear dose-response effect on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, with optimal benefits observed at approximately 730 ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.943479/full

Is exercise/physical activity effective at reducing symptoms ... This study reported a superior group reduction in PTSD following the mindfulness- based exercise intervention compared to the control group (mean difference: − ...

3. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2025/01170/effects_of_physical_activity_on_patients_with.63.aspx

Effects of physical activity on patients with posttraumatic .. ... It was discovered that people with PTSD can benefit from physical activity as an adjuvant method to enhance their PTSD, anxiety, despair, and sleep quality.

4. journals.plos.org journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000114

Trauma clinicians' views of physical exercise as part of PTSD ... Trauma clinicians viewed physical exercise as a potentially beneficial supportive intervention for PTSD and CPTSD.

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34850063/

Physical Exercise as Treatment for PTSD: A Systematic ... Conclusions: Exercise can be an effective addition to PTSD treatment, and greater amounts of exercise may provide more benefits.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11396323/

The impact of an exercise and sport intervention on cognitive ... This secondary analysis examined the impact of an exercise and sport intervention on cognitive function and pain severity among individuals living in a refugee ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296625000079

Effects of an exercise and sport intervention on symptoms ... This study aimed to examine the effects of an exercise and sport intervention primarily on PTSD but also on symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and well- ...

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1445144/full

Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD ... Indeed, the results showed that Active participants reported significantly lower PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, less pain, and better ...

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12466154/

How does exercise regulate the physiological responses of ... Our review explores how exercise boosts the physiological response of PTSD patients by regulating oxidative stress and HPA axis function, and ...