Veterans Group Exercise: A randomized pilot trial of an Integrative Exercise program for veterans with posttraumatic stress

Goldstein, Lizabeth A.; Mehling, Wolf; Metzler, Thomas J.; Cohen, Beth E.; Barnes, Deborah E.; Choucroun, Gerard; Silver, Aliza; Talbot, Lisa S.; Maguen, Shira; Hlavin, Jennifer; Chesney, Margaret A.; Neylan, Thomas C.

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.002

Cited by 73 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…These results suggest that individuals with low fitness may preferentially benefit from the effects of aerobic exercise on PTSD. Finally, a randomized study conducted in a veteran population ( N = 47; mean age = 46.8; 19% female) explored the impact of a 12 week aerobic exercise program (at least three, 1 hour sessions per week of moderate-intensity aerobic and anaerobic exercise), compared to waitlist control, on self-reported symptoms of PTSD [CAPS; (56)]. There was no indication when intervention took place in relation to experienced trauma.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation

Hegberg

Hayes

2019

Front. Psychiatry

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prominent mental health problem in veteran and community populations. There is accumulating evidence to suggest that aerobic exercise may serve as an effective treatment option for individuals with PTSD. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature exploring aerobic exercise and PTSD and briefly discuss potential mechanisms of PTSD symptom reduction. A search of electronic databases and reference sections of relevant articles published through October 1, 2018 revealed 19 relevant studies that examined aerobic exercise and PTSD symptomatology. A narrative review of extant studies provides encouraging evidence that aerobic exercise interventions alone or as an adjunct to standard treatment may positively impact PTSD symptoms. Potential mechanisms by which aerobic exercise could exert a positive impact in PTSD include exposure and desensitization to internal arousal cues, enhanced cognitive function, exercise-induced neuroplasticity, normalization of hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) function, and reductions in inflammatory markers. Randomized clinical trials and translational neuroscience approaches are required to clarify the efficacy of exercise intervention for PTSD and elucidate potential mechanisms of exercise-induced PTSD symptom reduction.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation

Hegberg

Hayes

2019

Front. Psychiatry

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“…There is encouraging evidence that mind–body approaches may be effectively blended with other therapies in the treatment of PTSD. For example mindfulness has been combined with cognitive therapy (King et al., ) and with traditional exercise (Goldstein et al., ) to address PTSD with good preliminary results. Future research should evaluate the efficacy of mind–body interventions both alone and in combination with other treatments, particularly with current standard evidence‐based trauma‐focused psychotherapies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of randomized trials of mind‐body interventions for PTSD

et al. 2018

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“…The treatment engagement of the sample may provide some explanation for why PTSD symptoms were not directly associated with deleterious health behaviors and outcomes. It may be that the VA healthcare system is effectively promoting healthy lifestyles among Veterans with PTSD symptoms, given the increased emphasis on doing so in VA. For example, tobacco cessation services were effectively integrated into PTSD care with superior cessation outcomes (McFall et al, 2010), and emerging evidence indicates that weight loss (Johannessen and Berntsen, 2013) and physical activity reduce and prevent PTSD symptoms (Goldstein et al, 2018; LeardMann et al, 2011; Smith et al, 2011), consistent with literature showing mood enhancing and anxiolytic effects of exercise (Barbour et al, 2007; Strohle, 2009). The notion that veterans with PTSD may use healthy lifestyles as a way of coping is aligned with a prior study purporting that as PTSD symptoms start to diminish, individuals engage in fewer negative and positive health behaviors they may have been using to cope (Shipherd et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

PTSD is associated with poor health behavior and greater Body Mass Index through depression, increasing cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk among U.S. veterans

Hoerster

Campbell

Dolan

et al. 2019

Preventive Medicine Reports

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Dedert and colleagues hypothesized a model whereby PTSD leads to poor health behaviors, depression, and pre-clinical disease markers, and that these factors lead to CVD and diabetes ( Ann Behav Med , 2010, 61–78). This study provides a preliminary test of that model. Using data from a mailed cross-sectional survey conducted 2012–2013, path analysis was conducted among N = 657 with complete demographic data. We first analyzed the hypothesized model, followed by four alternatives, to identify the best-fitting model. The alternate model that specified pathways from depression to health behaviors had the best fit. Contrary to hypotheses, higher PTSD symptoms were associated with better physical activity and diet quality. Of the specific indirect pathways from PTSD to Body Mass Index (BMI), only the path through depression was significant. Higher depression symptoms were significantly associated with less physical activity, poorer diet, and greater likelihood of smoking. In addition, the specific indirect effect from depression to BMI through physical activity was significant. Current smoking and higher BMI were associated with greater likelihood of diabetes, and hypertension was associated with greater likelihood of CVD. PTSD symptoms may increase risk for CVD and diabetes through the negative impact of depression on health behaviors and BMI. With or without PTSD, depression may be an important target in interventions targeting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases among veterans.

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Veterans Group Exercise: A randomized pilot trial of an Integrative Exercise program for veterans with posttraumatic stress

Cited by 73 publications

References 41 publications

Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation

Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation

A systematic review of randomized trials of mind‐body interventions for PTSD

PTSD is associated with poor health behavior and greater Body Mass Index through depression, increasing cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk among U.S. veterans

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