Exercise and Emotional Learning in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

NCT06127342 · University of Kentucky

Recruiting

In plain English

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About this study

The proposed project would build on our published pilot data and animal models to demonstrate that moderate intensity physical exercise delivered after exposure therapy engages fear circuitry and enhances the consolidation of therapeutic safety learning, thereby enabling enhanced symptom reduction for PTSD. Adults with PTSD related to interpersonal violence (IPV) exposure would complete an initial session of imaginal exposure to traumatic memory cues adapted for an MRI setting. This would be followed by 30-mins of moderate intensity exercise or low intensity exercise control. Participants would return 24-hrs later to complete a second session of imaginal exposure with MRI.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults with PTSD related to interpersonal violence Exclusion Criteria: * Active or recent (within the last 3 months) severe substance use disorder(s) * Active or recent (within the last 3 months) suicidal, psychotic, or manic symptoms/ episodes * Significant developmental disabilities * Current daily benzodiazepine or stimulant use with inability to abstain for study sessions * Recent changes in psychiatric medication or trauma focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (past 4-weeks) * Medical condition(s) that prohibit exercise * History of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness \> 30 mins * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindication(s) * Positive pregnancy test * History of seizure disorder * Spontaneous seizure(s) within the last 3 months

Study design

Enrollment target: 100 participants

Allocation: randomized

Masking: single

Age groups: adult

Timeline

Starts: 2024-05-13

Estimated completion: 2026-11-30

Last updated: 2025-09-03

Interventions

Behavioral: Moderate Intensity ExerciseBehavioral: Low Intensity Exercise

Primary outcomes

• Change in participant subjective emotional ratings (24 hours)
• Change in Heart Rate (24 hours)
• Change in Fear Circuit Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent (BOLD) Response (48 hours)

Sponsor

Christal L Badour · other

With: University of Texas at Austin, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Contacts & investigators

ContactChristal G Badour, PhD · contact · christal.badour@uky.edu · 859-323-3817

InvestigatorThomas G Adams, Jr., PhD · principal_investigator, University of Kentucky

InvestigatorChristal Badour, PhD · principal_investigator, University of Kentucky

All locations (2)

University of KentuckyRecruiting

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

University of TexasRecruiting

Austin, Texas, United States

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