Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Disturbance
Conditions
Keywords
Aerobic exercise; posttraumatic stress disorder; sleep quality; earthquake survivors; randomized controlled trial
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and sleep quality among earthquake survivors living in temporary accommodation centers. Participants are randomly assigned to either an exercise intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participates in supervised aerobic exercise sessions twice per week for three weeks. PTSD symptoms and sleep quality are assessed before and after the intervention using validated measurement tools. The study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of structured aerobic exercise in improving psychological well-being and sleep quality among individuals affected by natural disasters.
Detailed description
Natural disasters such as earthquakes can lead to significant psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disturbances. Individuals who experience earthquakes and continue to live in temporary accommodation conditions may remain exposed to ongoing stressors that negatively affect their mental health and overall well-being. Physical activity has been suggested as a potentially beneficial non-pharmacological intervention for improving psychological health and sleep quality. Aerobic exercise in particular has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and regulate sleep patterns. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of structured aerobic exercise programs for earthquake survivors living in temporary settlement areas. This randomized controlled study investigates the effects of a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program on PTSD symptoms and sleep quality among adult earthquake survivors residing in temporary accommodation centers. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria are randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participates in supervised aerobic exercise sessions conducted twice per week for three weeks, resulting in a total of six exercise sessions. The control group continues their routine daily activities without participating in the exercise program. Outcome measures include PTSD symptom severity and sleep quality assessed before and after the intervention using validated scales. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based psychosocial and behavioral interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes among populations affected by natural disasters.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALModerate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Program
A structured moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program delivered in group sessions over three weeks. The program consisted of six sessions including warm-up exercises, aerobic activity, and cool-down periods. The intervention aimed to reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms and improve sleep quality among earthquake survivors living in temporary accommodation settings.
Sponsors
Malatya Turgut Ozal University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to either an aerobic exercise intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in a supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program conducted twice weekly for three weeks (six sessions in total), while the control group continued their usual daily activities without structured exercise.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
16 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Experienced the February 6, 2023 earthquake * Aged between 18 and 65 years * Able to read and understand Turkish * Provided written informed consent to participate
Exclusion criteria
* Younger than 18 years or older than 65 years * Incomplete or invalid questionnaire responses * Insufficient literacy to complete the study instruments * History of severe psychiatric diagnosis
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms | Baseline and 3 weeks (post-intervention) | Posttraumatic stress symptom severity measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Scores will be compared between baseline and post-intervention to evaluate the effect of the aerobic exercise program. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality | Baseline and 3 weeks (post-intervention) | Sleep quality assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORRana Ceviz, RN, MSc
Malatya Turgut Ozal University
Outcome results
None listed