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Cited by 194Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Exercise augmentation of exposure therapy for PTSD: rationale and pilot efficacy data

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Powers, Mark B., Medina, Johnna L., Burns, Stephanie, Kauffman, Brooke Y., Monfils, Marie, Asmundson, Gordon J.G., Diamond, Allison, McIntyre, Christa +1 more·2015·Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
DOI 10.1080/16506073.2015.1012740PMC PMC4464974
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Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with synaptic plasticity, which is crucial for long-term learning and memory. Some studies suggest that people suffering from anxiety disorders show reduced BDNF relative to healthy controls. Lower BDNF is associated with impaired learning, cognitive deficits, and poor exposure-based treatment outcomes. A series of studies with rats showed that exercise elevates BDNF and enhances fear extinction. However, this strategy has not been tested in humans. In this pilot study, we randomized participants (N = 9, 8 females, M(Age) = 34) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to (a) prolonged exposure alone (PE) or (b) prolonged exposure+exercise (PE+E). Participants randomized to the PE+E condition completed a 30-minute bout of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (70% of age-predicted HR(max)) prior to each PE session. Consistent with prediction, the PE+E group showed a greater improvement in PTSD symptoms (d = 2.65) and elevated BDNF (d = 1.08) relative to the PE only condition. This pilot study provides initial support for further investigation into exercise augmented exposure therapy.

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  1. Pavlov I Conditional reflex: an investigation of the psychological activity of the cerebral cortex 1927 Oxford University Press New York, NY
  2. Powers MB Vervliet B Smits JAJ Otto MW Antony MM Hofmann SG Otto MW Helping exposure succeed: Leaning theory perspectives on treatment resistance and relapse. Resolving treatment complications in anxiety disorders 2009 31 50 Springer New York, NY

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Authors
Powers, M. B., Medina, J. L., Burns, S., Kauffman, B. Y., Monfils, M., Asmundson, G. J. G., Diamond, A., McIntyre, C., & Smits, J. A. J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas at Austin (US)
  • University of Regina (CA)
  • The University of Texas at Dallas (US)
Corresponding author
Powers, Mark B.
ORCID
Venue
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2015-02-23
Volume
44
Issue
4
Pages
314-327
ISSN
  • 1650-6073 (ISSN-L)
  • 1651-2316
DOI
10.1080/16506073.2015.1012740
PMC
PMC4464974
OpenAlex
W1987008872
Cited by
194
References
120
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 8
FWCI
19.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01da027533-04)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R15MH099655, R01MH091147)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01-DA027533, F31DA036919, K01DA035930)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, prolonged exposure therapy, physical activity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, fear extinction, treadmill exercise, anxiety disorders, synaptic plasticity
MeSH terms
Adult, Combined Modality Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Implosive Therapy, Male, Pilot Projects, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Exercise, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Young Adult

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