scholarly journals Physical activity, post-traumatic stress disorder, and exposure to torture among asylum seekers in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Nilsson ◽  
Catharina Gustavsson ◽  
Maria Gottvall ◽  
Fredrik Saboonchi
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Background Forced migrant populations have high rates of trauma-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever, while insufficient PA is associated with adverse effects on both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of different levels of PA and its association with PTSD symptom severity, controlled for exposure to torture, among asylum seekers in Sweden. Methods A cross-sectional survey study, with data from 455 asylum seekers, originating from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria, residing at large housing facilities across Sweden. Level of PA was assessed by the Exercise Vital Sign and categorized as; Inactive, Insufficient PA, and Sufficient PA. Prevalence estimates for proportions of different levels of PA were calculated. Analysis of variance were conducted to determine the association between levels of PA and PTSD symptom severity, measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of PA on PTSD beyond sex, age, and exposure to torture. Results About half of the participants (53.3, 95% CI: 48.6–58.1) met the recommendations for Sufficient PA. One third of the participants (33.3, 95% CI: 28.7–37.8) were insufficiently engaged in PA, and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.1–16.7) were inactive. There was a significant difference in PTSD symptom severity between groups of asylum seekers with different levels of PA (F(2, 316) = 23.15, p < .001). When controlling for sex, age, and exposure to torture, Sufficient PA was found to be associated with less PTSD symptom severity compared to both Insufficient PA (B = 0.297, SE = 0.086, p < .001) and Inactive (B = 0.789, SE = 0.104, p < .001). Conclusions Insufficient PA was common among the asylum seekers and our findings suggest that more PA is highly associated with lower PTSD symptom severity. An increased focus on assessment and promotion of PA is justified and discussed as particularly pertinent considering the much extended time of asylum-seeking processes. The results support previous evidence of PA as a potentially important factor in the context of PTSD and forced migrants’ health.

scholarly journals Physical activity, post-traumatic stress disorder, and exposure to torture among asylum seekers in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Nilsson ◽  
Catharina Gustavsson ◽  
Maria Gottvall ◽  
Fredrik Saboonchi
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Background: Forced migrant populations have high rates of trauma-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever, while insufficient PA is associated with adverse effects on both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of different levels of PA and its association with PTSD symptom severity, controlled for exposure to torture, among asylum seekers in Sweden. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study, with data from 455 asylum seekers, originating from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria, residing at large housing facilities across Sweden. Level of PA was assessed by the Exercise Vital Sign and categorized as; Inactive, Insufficient PA, and Sufficient PA. Prevalence estimates for proportions of different levels of PA were calculated. Analysis of variance were conducted to determine the association between levels of PA and PTSD symptom severity, measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of PA on PTSD beyond sex, age, and exposure to torture. Results: About half of the participants (53.3%, 95% CI: 48.6-58.1) met the recommendations for Sufficient PA. One third of the participants (33.3%, 95% CI: 28.7-37.8) were insufficiently engaged in PA, and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.1-16.7) were inactive. There was a significant difference in PTSD symptom severity between groups of asylum seekers with different levels of PA (F(2, 316) = 23.15, p < .001). When controlling for sex, age, and exposure to torture, Sufficient PA was found to be associated with less PTSD symptom severity compared to both Insufficient PA (B = 0.297, SE = 0.086, p < .001) and Inactive (B = 0.789, SE = 0.104, p < .001).Conclusions: Insufficient PA was common among the asylum seekers and our findings suggest that more PA is highly associated with better mental health in these populations. An increased focus on assessment and promotion of PA is justified during the extended time of asylum-seeking processes. The result support PA as a potentially viable treatment component in PTSD.

scholarly journals Prolonged exposure therapy and supportive counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescents: task-shifting randomised controlled trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 213 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaco Rossouw ◽  
Elna Yadin ◽  
Debra Alexander ◽  
Soraya Seedat
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Supportive Counselling ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

BackgroundEmpirical evidence on the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments for adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in low-resource settings is needed.AimsTo evaluate the comparative effectiveness of prolonged exposure and supportive counselling in adolescents with PTSD.MethodSixty-three adolescents (13–18 years) with PTSD were randomly assigned to receive either of the interventions comprising 7–14 sessions of treatment (trial registration in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR201511001345372). The primary outcome measure was PTSD symptom severity, as independently assessed on the Child PTSD Symptom Scale at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up.ResultsParticipants receiving prolonged exposure experienced greater improvement on the PTSD symptom severity scale than those receiving supportive counselling (between group differences at post-intervention, mean 12.49, 95% CI 6.82–18.17, P<0.001; d = 1.22). A similar effect size was maintained at 3-month (d = 0.85) and 6-month (d = 1.02) follow-up assessments.ConclusionsAdolescents with PTSD experienced greater benefit from prolonged exposure treatment when provided by non-specialist health workers (nurses) in a community setting.Declaration of interestNone.

Measures of PTSD Symptom Severity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly S. Parker-Guilbert ◽  
Samantha J. Moshier ◽  
Brian P. Marx ◽  
Terence M. Keane
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Categorical Diagnosis ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽  
Symptom Criteria

Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity serves a variety of important clinical and research purposes and may be able to more accurately represent the nature of posttraumatic stress when compared with traditional categorical diagnosis. Numerous measures that assess PTSD symptom severity are available and choosing measures with strong psychometric properties that meet one’s clinical or research needs is essential to accurate assessment. This task is made more complex by the recent update to the PTSD symptom criteria from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5. This chapter discusses available clinician-rated and self-report methods for evaluating PTSD symptom severity and makes recommendations for clinicians and researchers across a range of contexts and patient populations.

Salience and central executive networks track overgeneralization of conditioned-fear in post-traumatic stress disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Hannah Berg ◽  
Yizhou Ma ◽  
Amanda Rueter ◽  
Antonia Kaczkurkin ◽  
Philip C. Burton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Conditioned Fear ◽  
Neural Substrates ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Generalization Gradients ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Abstract Background Generalization of conditioned-fear, a core feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been the focus of several recent neuroimaging studies. A striking outcome of these studies is the frequency with which neural correlates of generalization fall within hubs of well-established functional networks including salience (SN), central executive (CEN), and default networks (DN). Neural substrates of generalization found to date may thus reflect traces of large-scale brain networks that form more expansive neural representations of generalization. The present study includes the first network-based analysis of generalization and PTSD-related abnormalities therein. Methods fMRI responses in established intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) representing SN, CEN, and DN were assessed during a generalized conditioned-fear task in male combat veterans (N = 58) with wide-ranging PTSD symptom severity. The task included five rings of graded size. Extreme sizes served as conditioned danger-cues (CS+: paired with shock) and safety-cues (CS−), and the three intermediate sizes served as generalization stimuli (GSs) forming a continuum-of-size between CS+ and CS–. Generalization-gradients were assessed as behavioral and ICN response slopes from CS+, through GSs, to CS–. Increasing PTSD symptomatology was predicted to relate to less-steep slopes indicative of stronger generalization. Results SN, CEN, and DN responses fell along generalization-gradients with levels of generalization within and between SN and CEN scaling with PTSD symptom severity. Conclusions Neural substrates of generalized conditioned-fear include large-scale networks that adhere to the functional organization of the brain. Current findings implicate levels of generalization in SN and CEN as promising neural markers of PTSD.

scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity, trauma load and sleeping difficulties in trauma-exposed, treatment-seeking adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carissa Van Aarde ◽  
Jani Nothling ◽  
Cherie Armour ◽  
Soraya Seedat
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Trauma Types ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽  
Sleep Difficulties

Introduction: Sleep disturbances are associated with various anxiety- and trauma-related disorders, and specifically with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Two of the core symptoms of PTSD are recurrent distressing dreams about the traumatic event and difficulty in falling or staying asleep (insomnia). Sleep is essential for functioning, with poor sleep compromising cognitive, emotional and behavioural regulations. Sleep is also of particular importance for brain development and information processing in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine if PTSD symptom severity and trauma load is associated with nightmares and insomnia in a sample of trauma-exposed, treatment-seeking adolescents.Methods: A total of 358 South African adolescents, between 12 and 18 years of age, exposed to at least one DSM-5 qualifying traumatic event, were assessed for PTSD-related sleep difficulties using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS). Childhood exposure to 10 common trauma types was also recorded using the KSADS trauma checklist. PTSD symptom severity was measured using the child PTSD checklist (CPC).Results: Adolescents reporting current trauma-related nightmares (F[268.2] = 0.68, t = -8.16, p = 0.000) and current insomnia (F[265.2] = 0.16, t = -9.03, p = 0.000) had significantly higher PTSD symptom severity scores compared to those without current nightmares and insomnia. Adolescents with current trauma-related nightmares (F[355.2] = 0.15, t = -3.30, p = 0.001) and insomnia (F[353.2] = 0.15, t = -2.51, p = 0.013) were also exposed to a significantly greater number of different trauma types compared to those without current nightmares and insomnia.Conclusion: Assessing and treating sleep difficulties related to PTSD in trauma-exposed adolescents, in an effort to reduce the developmental impact of trauma on the brain and general functioning, should not be overlooked. Longitudinal studies may contribute to a better understanding of the long-term effects of trauma-related insomnia and nightmares on mental and physical health outcomes.

Putative Blood Somatic Mutations in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Symptomatic Soldiers: High Impact of Cytoskeletal and Inflammatory Proteins

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 1723-1734
Author(s):  
Shlomo Sragovich ◽  
Michael Gershovits ◽  
Jacqueline C.K. Lam ◽  
Victor O.K. Li ◽  
Illana Gozes
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Brain

Background: We recently discovered autism/intellectual disability somatic mutations in postmortem brains, presenting higher frequency in Alzheimer’s disease subjects, compared with the controls. We further revealed high impact cytoskeletal gene mutations, coupled with potential cytoskeleton-targeted repair mechanisms. Objective: The current study was aimed at further discerning if somatic mutations in brain diseases are presented only in the most affected tissue (the brain), or if blood samples phenocopy the brain, toward potential diagnostics. Methods: Variant calling analyses on an RNA-seq database including peripheral blood samples from 85 soldiers (58 controls and 27 with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD) was performed. Results: High (e.g., protein truncating) as well as moderate impact (e.g., single amino acid change) germline and putative somatic mutations in thousands of genes were found. Further crossing the mutated genes with autism, intellectual disability, cytoskeleton, inflammation, and DNA repair databases, identified the highest number of cytoskeletal-mutated genes (187 high and 442 moderate impact). Most of the mutated genes were shared and only when crossed with the inflammation database, more putative high impact mutated genes specific to the PTSD-symptom cohorts versus the controls (14 versus 13) were revealed, highlighting tumor necrosis factor specifically in the PTSD-symptom cohorts. Conclusion: With microtubules and neuro-immune interactions playing essential roles in brain neuroprotection and Alzheimer-related neurodegeneration, the current mutation discoveries contribute to mechanistic understanding of PTSD and brain protection, as well as provide future diagnostics toward personalized military deployment strategies and drug design.

Prediction of Outcome for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Using Constructs from the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 590-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rooney ◽  
Caroline Hunt ◽  
Leanne Humphreys ◽  
David Harding ◽  
Miriam Mullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Predictive Utility ◽  
Post Traumatic

Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition, sometimes unresponsive to treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine the predictive utility of constructs from the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM) known to predict outcome for other disorders. Method: A sample of 50 veterans presenting for a PTSD treatment programme provided data for this longitudinal study. Variables were assessed at four time-points during the treatment programme. Multiple regression and mixed-effects regression were utilized to determine the predictive utility of variables from the TTM. Results: Allocated stage of change at the time of a 2 day introduction programme predicted follow-up symptom severity, but changes therein during treatment did not predict changes in symptom severity. However, changes in the continuous readiness-to-change variable and behavioural processes of change were predictive of such changes. Conclusions: Despite some difficulties in the application of the TTM to PTSD, the model does appear to predict treatment outcome. Veterans who have increased readiness to change and who make more use of behavioural processes of change are likely to have improved outcomes.

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