The Effect of Exercise on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Sleep Quality in Individuals Affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University38 enrolled

Overview

Natural disasters can have adverse impacts on both physical and mental health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disorders are among the most common problems seen after natural disasters. Exercise may represent a safe, cost-effective, accessible, non-pharmacological method for treating PTSD and sleep problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise interventions on PTSD and sleep quality in young individuals affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Earthquake Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Interventions

lifestyle adviceOTHER

At the beginning of the program, the members of the individuals were given lifestyle recommendations, both verbally and in writing (in the form of a brochure) within the scope of a common training initiative.The individuals groups received both written (brochure) and verbal training within the scope of lifestyle recommendations (the effects of planned and regular exercise, sleep problems, methods of coping with stress, etc.).

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age 18-30 * being directly affected by the earthquake in Mardin * providing voluntary consent to participating in the study Exclusion Criteria: * involvement in an existing active regular exercise program * the presence a physical problem capable of preventing exercise * the presence of severe psychiatric disorders or cognitive and/or perceptual problems * regular use of sedative or neuropsychiatric drugs * active alcohol or drug addiction * missing assessment parameters * failure to participate in the intervention programs, or not continuing wıth the study

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Short Scale

This self-report Likert-type scale was developed by LeBeau et al. in order to assess post-traumatic stress symptoms. The scale consists of nine questions and a single dimension. Each question is scored between 0 for "Not at all" and 4 for "Extremely". Total possible scores range between 0 and 36. The higher the total score, the higher the level of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder . The cut-off value of the scale was calculated as 24

Time frame: 6 weeks

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index consists of 24 questions and seven categories that yield information about the type and severity of sleep disturbance experienced in the past month. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index includes questions assessing sleep quality, transition time, duration, efficiency, disturbance, sleep medication use, and daytime dysfunction due to sleep problems. Each item is scored from 0 (no distress at all) to 3 (severe distress). Total possible scores range from 0 to 21. A higher score means poorer sleep quality. A total score of 0-5 is regarded as indicating healthy sleep, 6-10 as poor sleep, and above 10 as long-term sleep disturbance.