The effectiveness of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for veterans with probable posttraumatic stress disorder

Recreational and adaptive sports programs may be beneficial therapeutic interventions for improving psychological outcomes among veterans and service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they provide opportunities for exercise, socialization, respite, and time outdoors. Although there are an increasing number of sports programs for veterans and service members with PTSD, data evaluating the outcomes of such programs are limited. The sample included 74 U.S. veterans who participated in the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC), an annual, week-long adaptive sports program in San Diego, California. Participants were categorized into two subgroups: those who met criteria for probable PTSD using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 ( = 20) and those who did not ( = 54). Participants completed self-report assessments before and after each daily activity, before and after the program, and 3 months following program completion. Over the course of NVSSC program participation, the diagnostic subgroups (probable PTSD vs. no PTSD) did not significantly differ on changes in depression, positive affect, negative affect, or insomnia. Compared to those without PTSD, veterans with PTSD experienced greater reduction in generalized anxiety during the program ( = -3.07, = 0.034). Veterans with PTSD also experienced significant improvements in PTSD symptoms at postprogram ( = -23.76,