Effects of Resistance Training on Mental Health and Sleep Outcomes among Women with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Practice Innovations
Publication Date
3-1-2024
Abstract/ Summary
Women living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) face significant co-occurring mental health concerns and behavioral risk factors (e.g., poor sleep). Increasing evidence demonstrates that exercise can positively impact diverse health-related domains among populations with PTSD, yet analyses which examine these conditions among women are rare. To address this gap, this analysis examined the effects of a 3-week resistance training program on depression, anxiety, sleep, and PTSD among women who screened positive for PTSD. This investigation analyzed pooled data from two methodologically similar randomized controlled trials (i.e., a pilot and a replication study). Participants (n = 40) were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 20) or non-exercise time-matched control (n = 20). Data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results revealed significant improvements in depression, F(1, 32) = 5.47, p = .02; anxiety, F(1, 32) = 7.75, p = .009; and sleep, F(1, 32) = 12.62, p = .001, from pre-post intervention in the intervention group relative to controls. Significant improvements were also found pre-post intervention in PTSD symptoms in both exercise and control groups, F(1, 32) = 52.63, p < .001. Findings suggest that exercise improves mental health and sleep among women with PTSD. Taken together, these results suggest that exercise may be used as a therapeutic treatment option for women with PTSD.