As men & women return from military service overseas in the Middle East, there is an increasing concern about their mental health following trauma during conflict and/or overall experience during war. Number of PTSD cases are increasing and recent studies have indicated 1/5 or OEF/OIF veterans have a dx of PTSD, which may be an understatement of the real prevalence of veterans dealing with PTSD sx's. Depression & PTSD frequently occur together and effect social and retransitioning into civilian life. Many veterans will turn to unhealthy high risk behaviors to cope. It is suggests that high intensity sports can curb the need for coping or adrenaline as the unhealthy high risk behaviors. This study examined the feasibility or preliminary findings for using sports-oriented OT intervention to assist with PTSD/depression tx for OEF & OIF veterans. Participants attended 5-session, 5-week community based OT intervention groups. Mental health interventions tend to have low attendance rates of 38-55%, while the program has 73% of the group completing at least 3 out of 5 sessions. Following the program, participants reports the severity of PTSD sx's declined and they felt as if they were a part of something meaningful. High-intensity sports may be tied into PTSD/depression programs to assist with transitioning back to civilian life and coping with sx's in a healthy manor, rather than turning to drugs or alcohol. Rogers, C. M., Mallinson, T., & Peppers, D. (2014). High-intensity sports for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression: Feasibility study of Ocean Therapy with veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(4), 395-404.
started by harrisn2 on 13 Aug 15
Rogers, C. M., Mallinson, T., & Peppers, D. (2014). High-intensity sports for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression: Feasibility study of Ocean Therapy with veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(4), 395-404.