You are here

UWF Collections » UWF Theses and Dissertations » UWF Theses

A COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER UTILIZING COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND AEROBIC EXERCISE

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2011
Abstract:
This preliminary study examined the impact of an 8-week aerobic exercise treatment on symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among adult women who have experienced sexual violence. Fourteen participants were recruited naturalistically through a Certified Rape Crisis Center in Pensacola, Florida. Participants received cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or CBT plus group aerobic exercise sessions (CBT+E). Measures included the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV- Current and Lifetime Diagnostic Version (CAPS), the PTSD Checklist-Specific Version (PCL-S), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results revealed that both groups improved on all measures: main effects for time and group were observed for the CAPS, PCL-S, and SCL-90-R. Clinical significance was also observed: more participants in CBT+E no longer met the criteria for PTSD at the conclusion of treatment when comparing CAPS Frequency > 1/Intensity > 2/Total Severity > 65 (F1/I2/TSEV65) scores. There was also a trend on most measures in favor of the CBT+E treatment group. Results suggest that aerobic exercise programs may be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for individuals diagnosed with PTSD and/or a history of having experienced trauma. This study is the first known to compare aerobic exercise to an empirically validated form of treatment (CBT) for PTSD.
Title: A COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER UTILIZING COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND AEROBIC EXERCISE.
20 views
3 downloads
Name(s): Smith, Erika Nicole, Author
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2011
Publisher: University of West Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract: This preliminary study examined the impact of an 8-week aerobic exercise treatment on symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among adult women who have experienced sexual violence. Fourteen participants were recruited naturalistically through a Certified Rape Crisis Center in Pensacola, Florida. Participants received cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or CBT plus group aerobic exercise sessions (CBT+E). Measures included the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV- Current and Lifetime Diagnostic Version (CAPS), the PTSD Checklist-Specific Version (PCL-S), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results revealed that both groups improved on all measures: main effects for time and group were observed for the CAPS, PCL-S, and SCL-90-R. Clinical significance was also observed: more participants in CBT+E no longer met the criteria for PTSD at the conclusion of treatment when comparing CAPS Frequency > 1/Intensity > 2/Total Severity > 65 (F1/I2/TSEV65) scores. There was also a trend on most measures in favor of the CBT+E treatment group. Results suggest that aerobic exercise programs may be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for individuals diagnosed with PTSD and/or a history of having experienced trauma. This study is the first known to compare aerobic exercise to an empirically validated form of treatment (CBT) for PTSD.
Identifier: WFE0000257 (IID), uwf:60900 (fedora)
Note(s): 2011-05-01
M.S.
Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science
Masters
Subject(s): Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, rape, CBT, exercise, therapy
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/uwf/fd/WFE0000257
Restrictions on Access: public
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Host Institution: UWF

In Collections