Aerobic Exercise Reduces Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Volumn 44, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 301-313

  Fetzner, Mathew G ^a   Asmundson, Gordon J G ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF REGINA   (Canada)

Author keywords

aerobic exercise; anxiety sensitivity; depression; posttraumatic stress disorder; treatment

Indexed keywords

ADULT; ANXIETY; AROUSAL; ATTENTION; COMPLICATION; CONTROLLED STUDY; EXERCISE; FEMALE; HUMAN; KINESIOTHERAPY; MALE; PROCEDURES; PSYCHOLOGY; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL; STRESS DISORDERS, POST-TRAUMATIC; YOUNG ADULT;

ADULT; ANXIETY; AROUSAL; ATTENTION; EXERCISE; EXERCISE THERAPY; FEMALE; HUMANS; MALE; STRESS DISORDERS, POST-TRAUMATIC; YOUNG ADULT;

EID: 84930857905     PISSN: 16506073     EISSN: 16512316     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2014.916745     Document Type: Article

References (53)

1. A.M.Abrantes,, D.R.Strong,, A.Cohn,, A.Y.Cameron,, B.D.Greenberg,, M.C.Mancebo,, & R.A.Brown, (2009). Acute changes in obsessions and compulsions following moderate-intensity aerobic exercise among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23, 923–927. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.06.008.
2. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
3. J.J.Arch,, G.H.Eifert,, C.Davies,, J.C.P.Vilardage,, R.D.Rose,, & M.G.Craske, (2012). Randomized clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for mixed anxiety disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80, 750–765. doi:10.1037/a0028310.
4. A.Arntz, (2002). Cognitive therapy versus interoceptive exposure as treatment of panic disorder without agoraphobia. Behavioral Research and Therapy, 40, 325–341.
5. G.J.G.Asmundson,, M.G.Fetzner,, L.B.DeBoer,, M.B.Powers,, M.W.Otto,, & J.A.J.Smits, (2013). Let's get physical: A contemporary review of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for anxiety and its disorders. Depression & Anxiety, 30, 362–373. doi:10.1002/da.22043.
6. G.J.G.Asmundson,, & J.Katz, (2009). Understanding the co-occurrence of anxiety disorders and chronic pain: State-of-the-art. Depression & Anxiety, 26, 888–901. doi:10.1002/da.20600.
7. 2 max. Research Quarterly Exercise and Sport, 75, 337–342. doi:10.1080/02701367.2004.10609165.
8. E.B.Blanchard,, J.Jones-Alexander,, T.C.Buckley,, & C.A.Forneris, (1996). Psychometric properties of the PTSD checklist (PCL). Behavior Research and Therapy, 34, 669–673. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(96)00033-2.
9. J.A.Blumenthal,, M.A.Babyak,, P.M.Dorasiwamy,, L.Watkins,, B.M.Hoffman,, K.A.Barbour,, & A.Sherwood, (2007). Exercise and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Psychosomatic Medicine, 67, 587–596. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e318148c19a.
10. G.A.Bonanno,, A.D.Mancini,, J.L.Horton,, T.M.Powell,, C.A.Leardmann,, E.J.Boyko,, & T.C.Smith, (2012). Trajectories of trauma symptoms and resilience in deployed US military service members: Prospective cohort study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 23. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.096552.
11. L.Bossini,, M.Tavanti,, S.Calossi,, A.Lombardelli,, N.Riccardo Polizzotto,, R.Galli,, & P.Castrogiovanni, (2007). Magnetic resonance imaging volumes of the hippocampus in drug-naïve patients with post-traumatic stress disorder without comorbidity conditions. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 42, 752–762.
12. J.J.Broman-Fulks,, & K.M.Storey, (2008). Evaluation of a brief aerobic exercise intervention for high anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety, Stress, Coping, 21, 117–128. doi:10.1080/10615800701762675.
13. A.Broocks,, B.Bandelow,, G.Pekrun,, A.George,, T.Meyer,, U.Bartmann,, … & E.Ruther, (1998). Comparison of aerobic exercise, clomipramine, and placebo in the treatment of panic disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 115, 603–609.
14. R.A.Brown,, A.M.Abrantes,, J.P.Read,, B.H.Marcus,, J.Jakicic,, D.R.Strong,, & A.A.Gordon, (2009). Aerobic exercise for alcohol recovery: Rationale, program description, and preliminary findings. Behavioural Modification, 33, 220–249. doi:10.1177/0145445508329112.
15. D.G.Campbell,, B.L.Felker,, C.F.Liu,, E.M.Yano,, J.E.Kirchner,, D.Chan,, … & E.F.Chaney, (2007). Prevalence of depression-PTSD comorbidity: Implications for clinical practice guidelines and primary care-based interventions. Journal of General and Internal Medicine, 22, 711–718.
16. R.N.Carleton,, P.Brundin,, G.J.G.Asmundson,, & S.Taylor, (2006). Traumatic life events questionnaire. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Canada.
17. D.Chisholm,, M.Collis,, L.Kulak,, & G.Davenport, (1975). Physical activity readiness. British Columbia Medical Journal, 17, 375–378.
18. M.G.Craske,, M.Rowe,, M.Lewin,, & R.Noriega-Dimitri, (1997). Interoceptive exposure versus breathing retraining within cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder with agoraphobia. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 36, 85–99. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8260.1997.tb01233.x.
19. B.J.Deacon,, J.J.Lickel,, E.A.Possis,, J.S.Abramowitz,, B.Mahaffey,, & K.Wolitzky-Taylor, (2012). Do cognitive reappraisal and diaphragmatic breathing augment interoceptive exposure for anxiety sensitivity? Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 26, 257–269.
20. G.Devins,, & C.Orme, (1985). Centre for epidemiological studies depression scale. In D.Keyser & R.Sweetland (Eds.), Test critiques (Vol. 2, pp. 144–160). Kansas City, MO: Test Corporation of America.
21. A.B.Diaz,, & R.Motta, (2008). The effects of an aerobic exercise program on posttraumatic stress disorder severity in adolescents. International Journal of Mental Health, 10(1), 49–59.
22. S.Feilding,, G.Maclennan,, J.A.Cook,, & C.R.Ramsay, (2008). A review of RCTs in four medical journals to assess the use of imputation to overcome missing data in quality of life outcomes. Trials, 9, 1–6. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-9-51.
23. M.B.First,, R.L.Spitzer,, M.Gibbon,, & J.Williams, (2000). Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV axis I disorders: Patient edition. New York, NY: New York State Psychiatric Institute Biometrics Research Development.
24. A.Germain,, B.Krakow,, B.Faucher,, A.Zadra,, T.Nielson,, Hollifield, … & M.Koss, (2004). Increased mastery elements associated with imagery rehearsal treatment for nightmares in sexual assault survivors with PTSD. Dreaming, 14, 195–206. doi:10.1037/1053-0797.14.4.195.
25. N.Gledhill, (2004). The Canadian physical activity, fitness & lifestyle approach (3rd ed.). Ottawa: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
26. C.J.Hansen,, L.C.Stevens,, & R.J.Coast, (2001). Exercise duration and mood state: How much is enough to feel better? Health Psychology, 20, 267–275. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.20.4.267.
27. R.H.Heck,, S.L.Thomas,, & L.N.Tabata, (2010). Multilevel and longitudinal modeling with IBM SPSS. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.
28. M.P.Herring,, P.J.O'Connor,, & R.K.Dishman, (2010). The effects of exercise training on anxiety symptoms among patients: A systematic review. Archives of Internal Medicine, 170, 321–331.
29. A.Hovland,, I.H.Nordhus,, T.Sjøbø,, B.A.Gjestad,, B.Birknes,, E.W.Martinsen,, … & S.Pallesen, (2012). Comparing physical exercise in groups to group cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment of panic disorder in a randomized controlled trial. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 41(4), 1–25.
30. M.Jukupcak,, L.J.Roberts,, C.Martell,, P.Mulick,, S.Michael,, R.Reed,, … & M.McFall, (2006). A pilot study of behavioral activation for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19, 387–391. doi:10.1002/jts.20125.
31. D.J.Kearney,, K.McDermott,, C.Malte,, M.Martinez,, & T.L.Simpson, (2012). Association of participation in a mindfulness program with measures of PTSD, depression and quality of life in a veteran sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68, 101–116. doi:10.1002/jclp.20853.
32. B.C.Long, (1983). Aerobic conditioning and stress reduction: Participation or conditioning? Human Movement Science, 2, 171–186.
33. T.A.Manger,, & R.W.Motta, (2005). The impact of an exercise program on posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 7(1), 49–57.
34. D.Merom,, P.Phongsavan,, R.Wagner,, T.Chey,, C.Marnane,, Z.Steel,, … & A.Bauman, (2007). Promoting walking as an adjunct intervention to group cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders – A pilot group randomized trial. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22, 959–968. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.09.010.
35. W.P.Morgan, (1987). Reduction of state anxiety following acute physical activity. In W.P.Morgan & S.E.Goldston (Eds.), Exercise and mental health (pp. 105–109). Washington, DC: Hemisphere.
36. National Center for PTSD (2007). Using the PTSD checklist (PCL). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved June 24, 2013, from www.ptsd.va.gov.
37. C.L.Newman,, & R.W.Motta, (2007). The effects of aerobic exercise on childhood PTSD, anxiety and depression. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 9, 133–158.
38. M.W.Otto,, & J.A.J.Smits, (2011). Exercise for mood and anxiety: Proven strategies for overcoming depression and enhancing well-being. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
39. L.S.Radloff, (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measure, 1, 385–401. doi:10.1177/014662167700100306.
40. B.C.Sabourin,, S.H.Stewart,, S.B.Sherry,, M.C.Watt,, J.Wald,, & V.V.Grant, (2008). Physical exercise as interoceptive exposure within a brief cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety sensitive women. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 22, 303–320.
41. P.Salmon, (2001). Effects of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and sensitivity to stress: A unifying theory. Clinical Psychology Review, 21, 33–61. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(99)00032-X.
42. W.Schulz,, & I.Maas, (2010). Studying historical occupational careers with multilevel growth models. Demographic Research, 23, 669–696. doi:10.4054/DemRes.2010.23.24.
43. D.V.Sheehan,, Y.Lecrubier,, K.H.Sheehan,, P.Amorim,, J.Janavs,, E.Weiller,, & G.C.Dunbar, (1998). The Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview (M.I.N.I.): The development and validation of a structured psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 59(suppl. 20), 22–33.
44. J.A.J.Smits,, A.C.Berry,, D.Rosenfield,, M.B.Powers,, E.Behar,, & M.Otto, (2008). Reducing anxiety sensitivity with exercise. Depression & Anxiety, 25, 689–699. doi:10.1002/da.20411.
45. M.B.Stein,, J.R.Walker,, A.L.Hazen,, & D.R.Forde, (1997). Full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder: Findings from a community survey. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 1114–1119.
46. A.Strohle, (2009). Physical activity, exercise, depression and anxiety disorders. Journal of Neural Transmitters, 116, 777–784. doi:10.1007/s00702-008-0092-x.
47. S.Taylor,, M.Zvolensky,, B.Cox,, B.Deacon,, R.Heimberg,, D.Ledley,, & S.Cardenas, (2007). Robust dimensions of anxiety sensitivity: Development and initial validation of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3. Psychological Assessment, 19, 176–188. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.19.2.176.
48. J.Wald,, & S.Taylor, (2008). Responses to introspective exposure in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A preliminary analysis of induced anxiety reactions and trauma memories and their relationship to anxiety sensitivity and PTSD symptom severity. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 37, 90–100. doi:10.1080/16506070801969054.
49. M.C.Watt,, S.H.Stewart,, M.J.Lefaivre,, & L.A.Ulman, (2006). Brief cognitive-behavioural approach to reducing anxiety sensitivity decreases anxiety related to pain. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 35, 248–256.
50. F.W.Weathers,, B.T.Litz,, D.S.Herman,, H.R.Huska,, & T.M.Keane, (1994). The PTSD checklist (PCL-C): Reliability, validity, and diagnostic utility. San Antonio, TX: International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
51. D.Wedekind,, A.Broocks,, N.Weiss,, K.Engel,, K.Neubert,, & B.Bandelow, (2010). A randomized controlled trial of aerobic exercise in combination with paroxetine in the treatment of panic disorder. World Journal of Biological Psychology, 11, 904–913.
52. M.C.Zanarini,, & F.R.Frankenburg, (2001). Attainment and maintenance of reliability of axis I and II disorders over the course of a longitudinal study. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 42, 369–374. doi:10.1053/comp.2001.24556.
53. M.C.Zanarini,, A.E.Skodol,, D.Bender,, R.Dolan,, C.Sanislow,, & E.Schaeffer, (2000). The collaborative longitudinal personality disorders study: Reliability of axis I and II diagnoses. Journal of Personality Disorders, 14, 291–299.