Trauma-informed home-based exercise program for women veterans with sexual violence histories
Official title: Developing and Testing a Trauma-Informed Exercise Intervention for Women Veterans with histories of Sexual Violence
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11418231 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A trauma-informed telehealth exercise program is being developed and tested to help women veterans who have experienced sexual violence feel better physically and mentally.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX005308-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418231 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women veterans with a history of sexual violence who may benefit from structured, trauma-informed, telehealth exercise.
✕Less likely to help
Women without histories of sexual violence or those unable to participate in telehealth exercise may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project plans to create a telehealth-based exercise program tailored to women veterans who have histories of sexual violence, aiming to improve physical health, mental health, and daily functioning. The work will use lessons from past PTSD-focused interventions and preferences shared by participants, with input from healthcare providers and survivors guiding program structure and content. It will involve stakeholder interviews to refine the format, content, and delivery to fit real-world use in a VA setting. The study focuses on a population with unique barriers to exercise, and the researchers will test how well a trauma-informed approach works when delivered remotely.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce trauma-related symptoms and improve overall well-being for women veterans who have experienced sexual violence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trauma-focused exercise approaches in veterans have shown promise for improving mental health and physical health outcomes, supporting potential benefit for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pebole, Michelle — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Pebole, Michelle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how alcohol and how couples talk about consent affect intimate partner sexual violence
This project studies how alcohol use and how partners communicate about consent influence intimate partner sexual violence among sexual minority and heterosexual couples.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
Healthy Communities for Youth: Preventing Youth Violence in Richmond and Beyond
A community-centered program to reduce youth violence in Richmond, VA and similar communities by pairing youth voices, hospital-based support, and capacity-building for local groups.
-
Education and violence: Can high-dosage tutoring reduce youth violence
A large study in Chicago schools will test whether high-dosage tutoring for students can lessen youth violence by improving learning and outcomes.
-
Center for Youth Equity: A Community Path to Prevent Youth Violence
A Tulane-led effort partners with communities to reduce youth violence by addressing racism, strengthening local youth voices, and building sustainable prevention strategies.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.