Table 2.
Observational studies of exercise and PTSD.
| Study | N | Age | Gender | Ethnicity | Population/ Dx criteria | Study Design | EX Type/ Measure | Outcome Measure | Results | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnson et al. (41) | 55 | Mean: 49.7 ± 7.5 Range: 19–60 | 0% female | NR | Israeli veterans/DSM-IV PTSD | CS | Self-reported EX/(single item: regular, infrequent, or none) | CAPS | Severity of PTSD did not differ across EX groups | p = 0.52 |
| Bosch et al. (42) | 76 | Mean: 36.4 ± 9.9 Range: NR | 18% female | 58% white | OEF/OIF/OND veterans/ DSM-IV-TR full or subthreshold PTSD | Longitudinal | Self-reported EX/(dichotomous variable: engaging in exercise or not) | PCL-M 1 year FU | Baseline EX not significantly related to PTSD sxs at FU | p = 0.57 |
| Bourn et al. (43) | 239 | Mean: 50 ± 15.3 Range: 21–83 | 9% female | 88% white | U.S. Veterans/ CAPS full or subthreshold PTSD | CS | Self-reported EX/GLTEQ | CAPS | Among those reporting high levels of pain severity and interference, individuals who reported being active reported fewer PTSD sxs than those who reported being inactive | * |
| Davidson et al. (44) | 346 | Mean: 45.5 ± 14.27 Range: NR | 19% female | 60% white | U.S. veterans/residential treatment for PTSD | CS | Self-reported EX/(single item: days of EX per week) | PCL-M | EX not correlated with PTSD sxs | n.s. |
| Harte et al. (45) | 108 | Mean: 23.9 ± 10.22 Range: 18–62 | 42% female | 92% white | Trauma-exposed community/DSM-IV Criterion A | CS | Self-reported EX/ EHQ-R | PDS | Vigorous, but not light- or moderate-intensity EX, was significantly and inversely related to hyperarousal PTSD sxs | * |
| LeardMann et al. (46) | 38,883 | Mean: NR Range: NR | 23% female | 83% white | U.S. Veterans/PCL-C | Longitudinal | Self-reported EX/ 2001 National Health Interview Survey | PCL-C | Engaging in vigorous EX (≥20 min, 2 + times/wk) resulted in: Decreased odds of developing sxs; Decreased odds of having persistent PTSD sxs at follow up | OR = 0.58 [0.049–0.70] OR = 0.59 [0.42–0.83] |
| Rosenbaum et al. (47) | 76 | Mean: 47.6 ± 11.9 Range: NR | 17% female | NR | Inpatient/DSM-IV PTSD | CS | Self-reported EX/ IPAQ-SF | PCL-C | Total walking time negatively associated with PTSD sxs; moderate and vigorous EX not significantly correlated with PTSD sxs |
***
n.s. |
| Vujanovic et al. (48) | 86 | Mean: 24.3 ± 10.54 Range: NR | 58% female | 89.5% white | Trauma-exposed community/DSM-IV Criterion A | CS | Self-reported EX/ EHQ-R | PDS | Regular smokers who also endorsed a high level of weekly EX had fewer PTSD sxs than low-level exercisers | * |
| Whitworth et al. (49) | 182 | Mean: 34.6 ± 13.3 Range: 18–69 | 72% female; 1% other | 63.2% white | Adults/PTSD per PCL-C | Longitudinal | Self-reported EX/ GLTEQ | PCL-C 3 month FU | Total EX: - Directly related to avoid/numbing at FU Indirectly associated with total PTSD sxs through alcohol use at FU Strenuous EX: -Directly related to avoid/numbing and hyperarousal sxs at FU - Indirectly related to total PTSD, avoid/numbing, and hyperarousal sxs through sleep at FU |
*
95% CI [0.18–1.42] * 95% CI [−2.43 to −0.05] 95% CI [−1.88 to −0.07] |
CAPS, Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale; CS, cross-sectional; Dx, diagnostic; EHQ-R, Exercise Habits Questionnaire- Revised; EX, exercise; FU, follow-up; GLTEQ, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire; IPAQ-SF, International Physical Activity Questionnaire- Short Form; NA, not applicable; NR, not reported; n.s., not significant; PCL-C, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian Version; PCL-M, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Military Version; PDS, Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale; sxs, symptoms; +, sample deemed too small to conduct traditional significance tests. No observational studies assessed cardiorespiratory fitness.
*
p < 0.05;
***
p < 0.001.