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Cited by 35Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchPhysical Activity and HealthCancer survivorship and care

Exercise for PTSD in women veterans: a proof-of-concept study

Shivakumar, Geetha, Anderson, Elizabeth H., Surís, Alina M., North, Carol S.·2017·Military Medicine
DOI 10.7205/milmed-d-16-00440
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a 12-week structured exercise program targeting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women Veterans of childbearing age was tested in a pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one women Veterans of childbearing age were enrolled in the study, 22 remained eligible after the baseline assessment, and 16 completed the exercise protocol. The exercise program consisted of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (brisk walking), 4 times a week, for 12 weeks. Data were collected on duration, intensity, and side effects. The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale was administered at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks. Weekly assessments provided data on PTSD and depression symptoms, pain, and quality of life. RESULTS: Both post-traumatic and depressive symptoms improved significantly by the end of study. There were no adverse events related to exercise. A small focus group provided subjective experiences supporting positive effects of exercise on emotion and physical health. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this study suggests that 12 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise may be a promising intervention for PTSD in women Veterans of childbearing potential. Further controlled studies are warranted to determine efficacy of moderate intensity exercise as a treatment modality for this population.

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Crossref · 10.7205/milmed-d-16-00440

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  • A 12 week aerobic exercise program improved overall PTSD symptoms in U.S. veterans with CAPS ≥45.

    “Improved overall PTSD symptoms”

    From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [62]

  • In a small convenience sample of female veterans with PTSD symptomatology, a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise program produced significant reductions in overall PTSD symptomatology on the CAPS and PCL.

    “A small convenience sample of female veterans who reported PTSD symptomatology on the CAPS (≥45; N = 16; median age = 34; 14% white, 50% military sexual trauma) and completed a 12 week moderate-intensity exercise program (30–40 min of brisk walking at 3 mph, four times per week) reported significant reductions in overall PTSD symptomatology based on two separate assessments of symptoms (CAPS & PCL”

    From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [62]

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Related

Authors
Shivakumar, G., Anderson, E. H., Surís, A. M., & North, C. S.
Affiliations
  • VA North Texas Health Care System (US)
  • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
ORCID
Venue
Military Medicine
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2017-11
Volume
182
Issue
11
Pages
e1809-e1814
ISSN
  • 0026-4075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1930-613X
DOI
10.7205/milmed-d-16-00440
OpenAlex
W2765281420
Cited by
35
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2
FWCI
4.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Military Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, women veterans, aerobic exercise, brisk walking, depressive symptoms, pain, quality of life, exercise safety and feasibility, childbearing age women, PTSD treatment
MeSH terms
Adult, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Veterans, Exercise, Focus Groups

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