Veterans Group Exercise: A randomized pilot trial of an Integrative Exercise program for veterans with posttraumatic stress
Open accessAbstract
Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among military veterans and is associated with significant negative health outcomes. However, stigma and other barriers to care prevent many veterans from pursuing traditional mental health treatment. We developed a group-based Integrative Exercise (IE) program combining aerobic and resistance exercise, which is familiar to veterans, with mindfulness-based practices suited to veterans with PTSD. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of IE on PTSD symptom severity and quality of life, as well as assess the feasibility and acceptability of IE.Methods Veterans (N = 47) were randomized to either IE or waitlist control (WL). Veterans in IE were asked to attend three 1-h group exercise sessions for 12 weeks.Results Compared with WL, veterans randomized to IE demonstrated a greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity (d = -.90), a greater improvement in psychological quality of life (d = .53) and a smaller relative improvement in physical quality of life (d = .30) Veterans' ratings of IE indicated high feasibility and acceptability.Limitations The sample was relatively small and recruited from one site. The comparison condition was an inactive control.Conclusions This initial study suggests that IE is an innovative approach to treating veterans with symptoms of PTSD that reduces symptoms of posttraumatic stress and improves psychological quality of life. This approach to recovery may expand the reach of PTSD treatment into non-traditional settings and to veterans who may prefer a familiar activity, such as exercise, over medication or psychotherapy.
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In a randomized study of veterans, participants who completed a 12-week aerobic exercise program reported greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity compared to waitlist controls.
“Results revealed that participants who completed the exercise program reported greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity compared to waitlist controls [F(1, 35.3) = 4.64, p = 0.038].”
From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [56]
In the same randomized veteran study, hyperarousal symptoms were the only cluster that benefitted significantly from the exercise intervention.
“Further, hyperarousal symptoms were the only cluster that benefitted significantly from the exercise intervention [F(1, 35.2) = 4.40, p = 0.044].”
From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [56]
A 12 week exercise program combining aerobic and resistance exercise and yoga movements produced greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity compared to waitlist controls in U.S. veterans with full or subthreshold PTSD.
“Those participating in EX program reported greater reduction in PTSD sx severity compared to waitlist controls”
From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [56]
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- Authors
- Goldstein, L. A., Mehling, W. E., Metzler, T. J., Cohen, B. E., Barnes, D. E., Choucroun, G. J., Silver, A., Talbot, L. S., Maguen, S., Hlavin, J. A., Chesney, M. A., & Neylan, T. C.
- Affiliations
- San Francisco VA Medical Center (US)
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- Corresponding author
- Goldstein, Lizabeth A.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-02
- Volume
- 227
- Pages
- 345-352
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2765629808
- Cited by
- 109
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 8.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Veterans Health and Integration Program
- Alexsis de Raadt-St. James and Mark B. Hoffman
- Michelle and Robert Friend Foundation
- Virginia J. and John E. Madden
- Mental Insight Foundation
- Bernard Osher Foundation
- Department of Defense (W81XWH-11-1-0189)
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health
- UCSF-CTSI (UL1 RR024131)
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, veterans, group exercise, aerobic exercise, resistance training, mindfulness, quality of life, PTSD symptom severity, feasibility and acceptability, stigma
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Psychotherapy, Group, Quality of Life, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Veterans, Young Adult, Mindfulness
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