Aerobic Exercise Intervention for PTSD Symptoms and Sleep Quality After Earthquake

NCT07474259 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OZAL-TN-RC-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 82
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Sleep Disturbance

Keywords

Aerobic exercise; posttraumatic stress disorder; sleep quality; earthquake survivors; randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

  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.

  Baseline and 3 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Sleep Quality

  Baseline and 3 weeks (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Aerobic Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this group participated in a structured moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program consisting of six group sessions delivered over three weeks. Each session included warm-up, aerobic exercise activities, and cool-down exercises. The program was designed to improve posttraumatic stress symptoms and sleep quality among earthquake survivors.

Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Program

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group did not receive any structured exercise intervention during the study period and continued their usual daily routines.

Interventions

Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

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.

Aerobic Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Experienced the February 6, 2023 earthquake
• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Able to read and understand Turkish
• Provided written informed consent to participate

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Malatya Turgut Ozal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Malatya Turgut Ozal University Training and Research Hospital

Malatya, Malatya, 44330, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Adhikari Baral I,K C B

  BACKGROUND

• Alnawwar MA,Alraddadi MI,Algethmi RA,Salem GA,Salem MA,Alharbi AA

  BACKGROUND

• Blevins CA, Weathers FW, Davis MT, Witte TK, Domino JL. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation. J Trauma Stress. 2015 Dec;28(6):489-98. doi: 10.1002/jts.22059. Epub 2015 Nov 25.

  PMID: 26606250 BACKGROUND

• Chen XY, Shi X, Li Y, Zhou Y, Chen H, Wang T, Fan F. Psychiatric comorbidity predicts sleep disturbances among adolescent earthquake survivors: a 10-year cohort study. Sleep Med. 2021 Feb;78:94-100. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.12.015. Epub 2020 Dec 21.

  PMID: 33418432 BACKGROUND

• Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF 3rd, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989 May;28(2):193-213. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4.

  PMID: 2748771 BACKGROUND

• Bryant RA, Dawson KS, Azevedo S, Yadav S, Cahill C, Kenny L, Maccallum F, Tran J, Rawson N, Tockar J, Garber B, Keyan D. Augmenting trauma-focused psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder with brief aerobic exercise in Australia: a randomised clinical trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;10(1):21-29. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00368-6. Epub 2022 Nov 24.

  PMID: 36436532 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Parasomnias; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias

Study Officials

• Rana Ceviz, RN, MSc

  Malatya Turgut Ozal University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Model Details: 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.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 11, 2026
• First Posted: March 16, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 15, 2026
• Study Completion: February 15, 2026
• Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)