Does an Occupational Therapy Program Enhance Mental Health Outcomes for Veterans Who Scuba Dive

NCT03928392 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: 5180305
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to investigate whether an occupational therapy program could enhance mental health outcomes for veterans who SCUBA dive. SCUBA diving requires modified breathing techniques and has been found to provide calming effects to individuals who engage in this activity. Occupational therapy interventions such as mindfulness, journaling, and deep breathing techniques can also provide similar calming effects. Therefore, this study will explore whether occupational therapy can provide additional benefits to overall mental health of veterans who SCUBA dive.

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Depression; Anxiety; Stress, Psychological

Keywords

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, SCUBA, Occupational therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Satisfaction With Occupational Performance

  Study participants will complete the assessment, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) which is an individualized composite measurement of factors designed to assess clients' perception of their occupational performance and satisfaction with that performance. The participants will identify up to 5 goals. For each goal the participant will rate their perceived performance on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing the lowest level of performance and 10 representing the highest level of performance. The average of the scores will be recorded. Participants will also rate their satisfaction with performance on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing the lowest level of satisfaction and 10 representing the highest level of satisfaction. The average of these scores will represent the satisfaction with performance score.

  Change between baseline and three weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

  Change between baseline and three weeks

• The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS)

  Change between baseline and three weeks

Study Arms (2)

SCUBA Dive with OT

EXPERIMENTAL

Two SCUBA dives in conjunction with occupational therapy intervention. The occupational therapy intervention will take place on the beach or on the boat before/after the SCUBA dive. The intervention will consist of learning 3 different breathing techniques. Participants will also be educated about mindfulness principals. Additionally, participants will complete journaling activities between dives.

Behavioral: SCUBA with Occupational Therapy (OT)

SCUBA Dive without OT

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The group will engage in two SCUBA dives.

Behavioral: Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) without OT

Interventions

SCUBA with Occupational Therapy (OT) BEHAVIORAL

Study participants will complete two OT sessions in conjunction to their regular SCUBA diving activity. OT intervention includes breathing techniques, mindfulness strategies and a journal activity.

SCUBA Dive with OT

Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) without OT BEHAVIORAL

Study participants will continue their regular SCUBA diving activity through the Wounded American Veterans Experience SCUBA (WAVES) program. They will complete two dives.

SCUBA Dive without OT

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 95 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• to 95 years of age
• Participation in WAVES Project for at least 3 months
• Completion of 3 open water dives
• Proficient in written and verbal English

You may not qualify if:

• Younger than 18 years of age or older than 95 years of age
• Not a member of WAVES Project within 3 months of study recruitment
• Has not completed 3 open water dives
• Not proficient in written and verbal English

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Loma Linda University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Loma Linda Universtiy

Loma Linda, California, 92350, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Stress, Psychological

Interventions

Occupational Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Dr. Dragana Krpalek
• Organization: Loma Linda University

dkrpalek@llu.edu

9095584328

Study Officials

• Dragana Krpalek, PhD

  Loma Linda University Health

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: There are two groups for this study. Both groups will engage in two SCUBA dives. Additionally one group will receive occupational therapy and the other will not. The occupational therapy sessions will occur in conjunction with the SCUBA dive.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 24, 2019
• First Posted: April 26, 2019
• Study Start: February 3, 2019
• Primary Completion: March 17, 2019
• Study Completion: April 23, 2019
• Last Updated: February 1, 2023
• Results First Posted: February 1, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)