Exercise Therapy for PTSD

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byThomas G Adams Jr, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Thomas Adams

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests if moderate exercise can help victims of interpersonal violence, with or without PTSD, retain therapeutic benefits better. The goal is to see if exercise reduces anxiety and heart rate when they think about their trauma.

Research Team

Thomas G Adams Jr, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Kentucky

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who have experienced interpersonal violence and are medically healthy. They must speak English and can have PTSD from physical or sexual assault. People with developmental disorders, active substance use (especially daily cannabis), severe obesity, psychotic disorders, certain medical conditions related to exercise, pregnancy, cardiac disease, inability to consent, major disabilities or medical disorders like cancer or AIDS cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

Psychotic disorders

Self-reported history of loss of consciousness greater than 30 minutes

Endorsed medical concerns related to physical activity

See 10 more

Treatment Details

Interventions

Active Control (Behavioral Intervention)
Experimental (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study is testing if a short session of aerobic exercise can help victims of interpersonal violence improve therapeutic learning. This could apply to those with or without PTSD. The interventions include an experimental group doing the exercise before therapy and an active control group that does not.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Moderate Intensity ExerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Visit 1: Participants will complete study screening, PTSD assessments, and provide written narrative for a traumatic event and a neutral control event. Visit 2: Participants will complete eight trials of imaginal exposure (blocks of four neutral and four trauma narrative trials presented as text and sound) with heart rate monitoring and skin conductance. Anxiety will be measured at baseline and after each imagery trial. Participants will then complete 30 minutes of moderate intensity (70-75% maximum heart rate) exercise on a treadmill. Visit 3: Participants will complete eight more imaginal trials with heart rate and anxiety ratings as per visit 2.

Group II: Control - Low Intensity ExerciseActive Control1 Intervention

Visit 1: Participants will complete study screening, PTSD assessments, and provide written narrative for a traumatic event and a neutral control event. Visit 2: Participants will complete eight trials of imaginal exposure (blocks of four neutral and four trauma narrative trials presented as text and sound) with heart rate monitoring and skin conductance. Anxiety will be measured at baseline and after each imagery trial. Participants will then complete 30 minutes of light intensity (40-50% maximum heart rate) exercise on a treadmill. Visit 3: Participants will complete eight more imaginal trials with heart rate and anxiety ratings as per visit 2.