REGINA – We’ve long heard the health benefits of regular exercise, but a University of Regina study is exploring whether it could be a viable treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cody Hutchinson, who took part in the research, said a regular exercise routine was crucial for his mental health.
The 44-year-old lives with PTSD and has suffered from nightmares and anxiety for years.
“Like a scent, or a sound or smell, would trigger a pretty bad panic attack,” he explained.
Hutchinson served in the Canadian military for nearly two decades and was diagnosed with PTSD following his retirement.
He said the effects of the disorder negatively impacted his job, friends and family.
“It was hard to tell them what’s wrong with dad, because you know sometimes dad just wasn’t himself.”
The veteran said he found hope and relief in the university’s study and has maintained the exercise routine after being a participant over the last 12 weeks.
Dr. Gordon Asmundson, who leads the research, is exploring whether exercise alone can treat PTSD symptoms.
He added that therapy has proven effective but isn’t necessarily accessible to everyone.
“This is very significant because then we move forward in rolling out exercise prescribed in a particular manner to individuals with PTSD who live anywhere.”
Official results are still over a year away but Hutchison said in his experience, exercise as a treatment option has already proven to be a success.
“Prior to the study I was really down and I didn’t see the light at the end of tunnel,” he said. “Now I’m feeling very, very confident about the future.”
The $450,000-study was funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
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