Maximizing Treatment Outcome and Examining Sleep in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 54 |
| Updated: | 7/16/2013 |
| Start Date: | September 2010 |
| Contact: | Mark B Powers, Ph.D. |
| Email: | trauma@smu.edu |
| Phone: | 214-768-7848 |
The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of exercise in comparison to wellness
education to determine if they can improve the effects of prolonged exposure therapy (PE) in
reducing symptoms of anxiety associated with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In
addition, the two strategies (i.e., exercise and wellness education) will be compared in
terms of improvements in sleep as well as levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
(BDNF). BDNF is a protein that helps to support the survival of existing neurons and
stimulate the growth new neurons and synapses. BDNF is important to learning and memory in
general and therefore may be associated with the learning and memory as it relates to PE and
corresponding symptom PTSD improvement.
Inclusion Criteria:
- You have PTSD
- You are between the age of 18 and 54 if female or between ages 18 and 44 if male.
- You have written physician approval/medical clearance to participate in an exercise
protocol.
- Are currently taking no psychotropic medications or are able and willing to
discontinue these medications prior to the first PE session.
Exclusion Criteria:
- You are currently participating in a structured exercise program
- You have severe depression
- You have any history of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or obsessive compulsive
disorder;
- You have a diagnosis of eating disorder, or substance abuse or dependence (excluding
nicotine) within the past six months
- You have any history of a suicide attempt, or are at significant risk of self-harm or
harm to others
- You have ever been diagnosed with organic brain syndrome, mental retardation, or
other cognitive dysfunction
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