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Project

Phila: Working out a trauma together with physical activity

Physical activity (PA) is an interesting add-on treatment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The efficacy of PA for PTSD in daily life, in particular in first-responders remains unknown. There is a need for more culturesensitive efficacy and effectiveness research and a need to investigate locally adapted behavioural strategies that could improve adherence towards daily life PA. A first aim is to explore motives and barriers for PA interventions for first-responders with PTSD in Belgium (cross-sectional study 1) and in South-Africa (cross-sectional study 2). We will investigate this using the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Patient-centred Assessment and Counselling for Exercise questionnaire, the Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-3 and a semistructured interview. A second aim is to explore the efficacy and effectiveness of a culture-sensitive lifestyle PA counselling in first-responders with PTSD in Belgium (RCT 1) and in South-Africa (RCT 2). In each RCT, 100 selfidentified sedentary first-responders and a self-selected support partner will be randomized to a 10-week PA program delivered through a private Facebook group or wait-list condition. The primary outcome will be psychological distress (Kessler-6) post-intervention and 3 months post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), self-report PA (SIMPAQ), and alcohol problems (Alchol use Disorder Identification Test). In both first-responders and the support partners, we will assess depression and anxiety (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 ), quality of life (Assessment of Quality of Life-6) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) post-intervention and 3 months post-intervention. Feasibility will be assessed via semi-structured interviews.

Date:1 Oct 2020 →  31 Jan 2022
Keywords:Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Physical Activity, Lifestyle Intervention
Disciplines:Behavioural sciences, Mental healthcare services, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation
Project type:PhD project