A 12-week integrative exercise program improves self-reported mindfulness and interoceptive awareness in war veterans with posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a 12-week integrative exercise program incorporating mindfulness-based principles and yoga could improve mindfulness, interoceptive bodily awareness, and positive states of mind in war veterans with PTSD.
Results Summary
The study found large effect sizes for improvements in mindfulness (Non-Reactivity), interoceptive awareness (Body Listening), and self-regulation, indicating significant benefits compared to a waitlist control.
Population
War veterans with PTSD (n=47).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (intervention included aerobic/resistance exercise, mindfulness, and yoga).
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | decrease | PTSD intensity | war veterans with PTSD | - | observed improvements | #1 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | quality of life | war veterans with PTSD | - | observed improvements | #2 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | mindfulness | war veterans with PTSD | - | improvements | #3 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | interoceptive bodily awareness | war veterans with PTSD | - | improvements | #4 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | positive states of mind | war veterans with PTSD | - | improvements | #5 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Non-Reactivity | war veterans with PTSD | d = .85 | Large effect sizes for the intervention were observed | #6 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Body Listening | war veterans with PTSD | d = .80 | Large effect sizes for the intervention were observed | #7 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | Self-Regulation | war veterans with PTSD | d = 1.05 | Large effect sizes for the intervention were observed | #8 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | mindfulness | war veterans with PTSD | - | saw significant improvements | #9 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | interoceptive bodily awareness | war veterans with PTSD | - | saw significant improvements | #10 |
integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga | increase | positive states of mind | war veterans with PTSD | - | saw significant improvements | #11 |
OBJECTIVE: Innovative approaches to the treatment of war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are needed. We report on secondary psychological outcomes of a randomized controlled trial of integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga. We expected-in parallel to observed improvements in PTSD intensity and quality of life-improvements in mindfulness, interoceptive bodily awareness, and positive states of mind. METHOD: A total of 47 war veterans with PTSD were randomized to 12-week IE versus waitlist. Changes in mindfulness, interoceptive awareness, and states of mind were assessed by self-report standard measures. RESULTS: Large effect sizes for the intervention were observed on Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Non-Reactivity (d = .85), Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Body Listening (d = .80), and Self-Regulation (d = 1.05). CONCLUSION: In a randomized controlled trial of a 12-week IE program for war veterans with PTSD, we saw significant improvements in mindfulness, interoceptive bodily awareness, and positive states of mind compared to a waitlist.