Feasibility of a Yoga Program for Veterans With PTSD
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- Sponsor
- Marquette University
- Enrollment
- 14
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Cortisol assay
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 3 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study is designed to examine the feasibility of a 12-week yoga program on physiological and psychological health and its neurobiological mechanisms in N=15 veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The investigators will be examining specific parameters of health and mechanisms before and after the yoga program.
Investigators
Jacklynn Fitzgerald
Assistant Professor
Marquette University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •U.S. Military Veteran
- •18 years of age or older
- •Diagnosis of PTSD as assessed by a score of \>30 on the PTSD-Checklist Version 5 (PCL-5)
- •Willing and able to attend testing and yoga sessions at the Athletic and Human Research Performance Center (AHPRC) on the campus of Marquette University
- •Clear to participate in physical activity based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ+)
Exclusion Criteria
- •Currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- •Positive score to one or more items on the PAR-Q+ without physician approval
- •Already established regular use of yoga (i.e., more than one day per week)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Cortisol assay
Time Frame: Change in cortisol from baseline to12 weeks
Cortisol reported in μg/dL
Cognitive functioning using a computerized battery
Time Frame: Change in performance from baseline to12 weeks
Performance on cognitive tasks reported in accuracy and reaction time
Frequency of physical activity
Time Frame: Change in scores from baseline to12 weeks
Scores on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) reported in hours and minutes each day
Severity of sleep disturbance
Time Frame: Change in scores from baseline to12 weeks
Scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (range 0-21; higher scores indicate worse sleep quality)
Frequency of yoga rating
Time Frame: Change in scores from baseline to12 weeks
Scores on the Yoga and Self-efficacy Scale (YSES) (range 12-108; higher scores indicate more engagement with yoga practices)
Endocannabinoid assay
Time Frame: Change in ligands from baseline to12 weeks
Endocannabinoid ligands reported in ng/ml
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time Frame: Change in BMI from baseline to12 weeks
Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated by height and weight
Heart rate variability (HRV)
Time Frame: Change in HRV from baseline to12 weeks
Heart rate variability (HRV) reported in the standard deviation of the RR intervals (distance between heartbeats) as quantified on standard electrocardiogram (ECG)
Hand grip strength
Time Frame: Change in hand grip strength from baseline to12 weeks
Hand grip strength measured by a dynamometer reported in pounds (lbs)
Physical activity
Time Frame: Change in physical activity from baseline to12 weeks
Physical activity measured by a accelerometer reported in change in velocity over time (meters per seconds)
Severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Time Frame: Change in scores from baseline to12 weeks
Scores on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) (range 0-80; higher scores indicate more severity)
Physical health rating
Time Frame: Change in scores from baseline to12 weeks
Scores on the Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form (SF-36) (range 0-100; higher scores indicate better health outcome)
Mindfulness rating
Time Frame: Change in scores from baseline to12 weeks
Scores on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (range 39-195; higher scores indicate more mindfulness)
Blood pressure
Time Frame: Change in blood pressure from baseline to12 weeks
Blood pressure reported in systolic and diastolic (mmHg)
Range of motion
Time Frame: Change in range of motion from baseline to12 weeks
Range of motion measured by goniometer reported in degrees
Lung functioning
Time Frame: Change in lung functioning from baseline to12 weeks
Lung functioning measured by spirometry reported in vital capacity (VC)
Body composition
Time Frame: Change in body composition from baseline to12 weeks
Body composition measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) reported in volume cubic meters (m3) and mass (kilograms)
Aerobic fitness
Time Frame: Change in aerobic fitness from baseline to12 weeks
Aerobic fitness measured by a submaximal graded exercise test reported in the volume of oxygen consumed (VO2)
Heart rate
Time Frame: Change in heart rate from baseline to12 weeks
Heart rate reported in beats per minute (BPM)