The Effect of Aquatic Physiotherapy on Veterans Suffering From PTSD - a 40-week Pilotproject

It is estimated that 5% of all veterans who have been deployed have PTSD. In Denmark the total number of deployments are about 27.000 from 1992 - 2012. The purpose of the project is to investigate the effect of aquatic physiotherapy treatment and physical training in 34-35 degree centigrade warm water in a 40-week program consisting of: 1. st 8 weeks: 30 minutes treatment once a week. 2. nd 8 weeks: 30 minutes treatment once a week + 60 minutes of combined training and relaxation once a week. 3rd 8 weeks: 60 minutes of combined training and relaxation once a week + an activity of own choice once a week. 4th period 16 weeks: 30 minutes treatment once a week + 60 minutes of combined training and relaxation once a week. Hypothesis: Veterans with PTSD will experience a reduction in levels of PTSD symptoms. Methodical approach: Design: pilot project with an intervention group of 12 receiving treatment and physical training. Recruitment: The participants are recruited from Copenhagen Veteran Home, Høvelte Barracks Veteran Home and Military Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, Rigshospitalet. cf. inclusion and exclusion criteria. No of participants to be recruited: 12 Primary effect measures: Change of PTSD level from baseline using validated questionnaire PCL-M Secondary effect measures: 1. Change of sleep disorders from baseline using validated questionnaire Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). 2. Change of self-perceived levels of depression and anxiety by questionnaire (Hopkins symptoms checklist) 3. Change in self-perceived quality of wellbeing measured by questionnaire (WHO-5) Measurements to be taken before and after 24-weeks intervention Explorative measures: Change in functionality/ability with everyday life measured by questionnaire (The questionnaire method for assessing functionality/ability Ethical considerations: Participation in warm water treatment is considered without side effects or risks. Using exercise in warm water is part of general physiotherapeutic practice. The treatment is handled by experienced physiotherapists. The project complies with the Helsinki Declaration.