Exercise Training for PTSD

Overseen by Katherine Shepherd Hall, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

No Placebo Group

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

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

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

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.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Exercise Training (Behavioral Intervention)

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

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+

Dr. Grant Huang

VA Office of Research and Development

Acting Chief Research and Development Officer

PhD in Medical Psychology and Master of Public Health from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Dr. Erica M. Scavella

VA Office of Research and Development

Chief Medical Officer since 2022

MD from University of Massachusetts School of Medicine