Effects of high‐intensity interval training on sleep disturbances associated with posttraumatic stress disorder

Sleep disturbances are common in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder. Exercise interventions are a promising approach in the treatment of sleep disorders, but little is known about the efficacy of exercise interventions for sleep disturbances associated with posttraumatic stress disorder. A total of 40 individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder were randomized to six sessions of either high-intensity interval training or low-to-moderate-intensity training, administered within 12 days. Sleep quality was assessed over 24 days from baseline to post with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a sleep log, and a waist-worn actigraphy. Analyses revealed that, regardless of group allocation, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score improved significantly by 2.28 points for high-intensity interval training and 1.70 points for low-to-moderate-intensity training (d = 0.56 for high-intensity interval training; 0.49 for low-to-moderate-intensity training) over time, while there were no significant changes in any sleep log or actigraphy measure. Analysis of a subsample of those affected by clinically significant sleep disturbances (n = 24) revealed a significant time effect with no difference between exercise interventions: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index improved significantly by 2.65 points for high-intensity interval training and 2.89 points for low-to-moderate-intensity training (d = 0.53 for high-intensity interval training; 0.88 for low-to-moderate-intensity training), and actigraphy measure of wake after sleep onset was reduced significantly by 14.39 minutes for high-intensity interval training and 6.96 minutes for low-to-moderate-intensity training (d = 0.47 for high-intensity interval training; 0.11 for low-to-moderate-intensity training) from baseline to post. In our pilot study, we found an improvement in sleep quality from pre- to post-assessment. There were no significant differences between exercise groups. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the found time effects reflect the exercise intervention or unrelated factors.