Increase in physical activity is associated with an increase in sleep efficiency, but not with improvement in symptoms of PTSD: analysis of longitudinal data in trauma-affected refugees

BACKGROUND: In trauma-affected refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), research on physical activity is scarce. Knowing more about the relation between physical activity and PTSD symptoms may provide insight into physical activity as a possible target in the treatment of PTSD. The aim of the present study was to examine whether baseline and change in level of physical activity from baseline to end of treatment were related to, respectively, baseline and change in PTSD symptoms, quality of life, sleep quality, and sleep efficiency in trauma-affected refugees.

METHODS: Longitudinal data from a randomized controlled trial were analysed with multiple linear regression. Level of physical activity and sleep efficiency were measured with actigraphy and symptoms of PTSD, sleep quality, and quality of life were measured with self-report questionnaires.

RESULTS: A higher level of physical activity was significantly associated with better baseline sleep quality, borderline associated with quality of life, but not with symptoms of PTSD, or sleep efficiency. Furthermore, an increase in level of physical activity was significantly associated with improvement in sleep efficiency. Change in level of physical activity was not significantly associated with improvement in PTSD symptoms, quality of life, or sleep quality.

CONCLUSION: The novelty of the current study lies in the finding of no relation between a change in level of physical activity and a change in symptoms of PTSD. The results point to a complex relation between sleep, physical activity and PTSD and point towards a need for studies on these relations to provide effective interventions in trauma-affected refugees.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID (NCT02761161), April 27, 2016.