Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41574081›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2025

Assessment of the effectiveness of exercise interventions in the treatment of PTSD: based on a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis.

Yifan Fang, Qilin Zhang, Zhiyi Lin

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Yifan Fang *School of Physical Education and Health Science, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning, China.
Qilin Zhang *School of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
Zhiyi LinSchool of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Physical exercise is increasingly recognized for its potential to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, uncertainty remains regarding which exercise modalities are most effective, optimal prescription parameters, and which patient populations benefit most. This study systematically evaluated the effects of various exercise interventions on PTSD symptoms, aiming to provide an evidence base for personalized treatment strategies. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, APA PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining exercise interventions in patients with PTSD. The search was completed in November 2024, and 14 RCTs meeting eligibility criteria were included. The study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250652205). A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, with subgroup analyses performed to explore heterogeneity. Results: The meta-analysis showed that exercise interventions significantly reduced PTSD symptoms compared to control conditions (SMD = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.56 to -0.15, Conclusion: This review supports the use of structured exercise, especially yoga and resistance training, as an effective adjunctive intervention for PTSD. The findings inform evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice, including optimal dosing and population-specific considerations. Future research should integrate body-oriented frameworks such as psychomotor therapy to further elucidate mechanisms and personalize exercise-based approaches in trauma recovery.

Indexed as

exercise interventionsmeta-analysispost-traumatic stress disorderPTSDsystematic evaluation

Identifiers

PMID41574081
PMCPMC12819760

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.