Aerobic exercise's effect on fear extinction in PTSD
The Influence of Aerobic Exercise on Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in PTSD
This study is testing if doing aerobic exercise after learning to overcome fear can help people with and without PTSD remember that fear better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) |
| Trial ID | NCT06144203 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study tests whether aerobic exercise performed after fear extinction learning can enhance cognitive, physiological, and neural aspects of extinction recall in individuals with and without PTSD. Participants will undergo a structured protocol that includes a clinical intake visit, followed by fear conditioning, fear extinction combined with exercise, and finally, fear extinction recall. The study aims to determine the impact of exercise on the consolidation of fear extinction learning in trauma-exposed individuals.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include right-handed men and women aged 18-64 with a current diagnosis of PTSD related to interpersonal violence exposure.
Not a fit: Patients with current substance use disorders, acute suicidality, or significant neurological disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for individuals with PTSD, enhancing their ability to manage fear responses.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of aerobic exercise and fear extinction learning is novel, previous studies have shown that exercise can positively influence mental health outcomes.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for PTSD: * male or female sex * right-handed * age 18-64 * a current diagnosis of PTSD where the index event involves interpersonal violence exposure (e.g., physical/sexual assault). Inclusion criteria for the trauma-exposed (without PTSD) control participants includes: * male or female sex * right-handed * age 18-64 * interpersonal violence exposure (e.g., physical/sexual assault). Exclusion Criteria for all participants: * current substance use disorder (other than alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis) * acute suicidality * history of bipolar/psychotic disorder * changes to or addition of psychiatric medication in the past 4 weeks (6 weeks for fluoxetine) * medications that effect neurovascular properties upon which BOLD fMRI capitalizes (e.g., water pills) * history of neurological disorders or disease (e.g., traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, seizures) * loss of consciousness \> 10 minutes * intellectual disabilities (IQ\<70) * developmental disorders * MRI contraindication (e.g., internal ferromagnetic objects such as electronic devices, surgical implants, shrapnel; see phone screen) * claustrophobia or the inability to lie still in a confined space * physical disabilities that prohibit task performance (e.g., blindness or deafness) * positive pregnancy test * cochlear implant * an implanted neurostimulator * physical disabilities that prohibit task performance (e.g., blindness or deafness) * vulnerable populations (i.e., pregnant women, individuals appearing to lack consent capacity, prisoners, individuals unable to read consent materials, individuals in a relationship with study researchers (e.g., friends, family members, significant others) * having a history of chest pain during physical activity * having a bone, joint, cardiac, or other medical condition that a doctor has said may be worsened by physical activity * having asthma * responding 'Yes' to any of the seven questions on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q - administered as part of the Exercise Safety Questions of the phone screen), indicating it is unsafe for the individual to engage in aerobic exercise without physician approval (i.e., potential participant would be eligible to participate if they indicated 'Yes' to one or more of the PAR-Q items provided they obtain a doctor's note indicating it is safe for them to participate in the study) * Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or acute myocardial infarction in the last 6 weeks * unstable arrhythmias/implanted cardiac defibrillator shocks in the last 3 months * any other condition that the PI believes might put the participant at risk. * Additionally, due to their effects on image quality, interested individuals with the following may be ineligible to participate per PI's judgement: nonremovable dental implants (e.g., braces or upper permanent retainers) as these will distort the MRI images we collect (note: filings, crowns, and silver or gold teeth are okay); any other condition, medication, or implant that the PI believes would degrade image quality or render data unusable
Where this trial is running
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Wade Hall - University of Alabama — Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kevin Crombie, PhD
- Email: kmcrombie@ua.edu
- Phone: 2053482684
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.