Exercise Related Differences in PTSD Severity, Sleep Quality and Psychological Distress in Adults With PTSD

Abstract

Observational research has consistently reported an inverse relationship between exercise and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the majority of these studies have compared individuals with and without PTSD, and very few have measured the symptoms of PTSD or its severity. In fact, no study has examined the relationship between exercise and PTSD symptoms in a sample of individuals diagnosed with PTSD. As such, further investigation is needed. PURPOSE: To elucidate the cross-sectional relationship between self-reported exercise and PTSD symptoms and symptom severity in a sample of individuals diagnosed with PTSD. METHODS: Baseline data collected from a longitudinal study of PTSD and lifestyle behaviors were used for this study. Participants were 18 males, 61 females, and 2 transgender males ages 19-59 (34.6±11.6). To be eligible, participants had to have a prior diagnosis of PTSD. Exercise was assessed using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, and participants were divided into two groups using recommended cutoffs: <14 Insufficiently Active (n=38, 46.9%); and ≥14 Active/Moderately Active (n=43, 53.1%). PTSD symptoms and severity were measured with the PTSD Checklist (PCL)-Civilian, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Group differences were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. RESULTS: PTSD severity and related symptoms were significantly worse in the Insufficiently Active group. Specifically, when compared to the Active/Moderately Active group, the mean scores of the Insufficiently Active group were significantly higher for the PCL (66.7±12.2 vs. 59.8±12.2; t=2.45, p=.01), PSQI (14.0±3.6 vs. 10.4±3.9; t=4.29, p<.01) and K10 (34.4±8.2 vs. 29.8±8.8; t=2.40, p=.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that there is an inverse relationship between exercise level and PTSD symptoms and PTSD symptom severity among individuals diagnosed with PTSD. While inferences about the direction of causality cannot be made from these data, this is the first study to reveal such a relationship in this population. Future studies will be needed to further investigate how varying levels of exercise impact PTSD and its related symptoms.