Post Traumatic Stress DisorderJOYPTSDVETNCT06497400
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu vs. Yoga for Treating Symptoms of PTSD
A study testing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hatha Yoga and Waitlist in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, run by University of South Florida at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling anxiety disorder that may occur after witnessing a traumatic event, and that evokes a combination of intrusion and avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity1. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 44 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hatha Yoga and Waitlist
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 64 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 30 Jul 2017to 31 Aug 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 44 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male U.S. service member or veteran
- Current evidence of significant symptoms of PTSD, indicative of probable diagnosis of PTSD, as determined from the 20-item PCL-5, and positive screen on the PTSD subscale of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ)
- Denial of suicidal/homicidal ideation or intent, and no evidence of psychotic behavior or being in psychological crisis
- Ability to read and speak English
- between 18 - 44 years of age or older
Who cannot join
- Previous enrollment (past 6 months) in JJ regimen or Yoga regimen consistent with the regimens to be provided as the study interventions
- Major psychiatric disorder (e.g. bipolar disorder) uncontrolled and likely to interfere with treatment delivery (as determined by clinician assessment)
- Current substance abuse dependence (alcohol and/or drug) treatment anticipated to interfere with treatment delivery (i.e. exhibiting significant withdrawal symptoms or inability to refrain from substance dependence immediately prior to intervention sessions).
- Brain injury prohibiting speech, writing, and purposeful actions or screen positive for traumatic brain injury (history of concussion is acceptable).
- Cognitive impairment that prohibits informed consent and/or compliance to the study protocol.
- Contraindication to significant physical activity with BJJ or Yoga.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of South Florida/Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair/department of Neurosurgery
Tampa, Florida, 33613-4706
About this study
Official title: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Training Versus Hatha Yoga for Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among U.S. Male Veterans
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling anxiety disorder that may occur after witnessing a traumatic event, and that evokes a combination of intrusion and avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity1.
The primary objective of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to estimate and compare the effects of the practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) vs. hatha yoga vs. a waitlist control condition in influencing symptoms of PTSD, related comorbidities, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life among U.S. service members/veterans with current symptoms of PTSD. In addition, objective measurements (comparisons) of stress and sleep quality will be made through the collection and evaluation of salivary alpha amylase, hair cortisol, and actigraphy, a non-invasive way to measure activity cycles.
Read the detailed description
The design is a three arm randomized controlled pilot trial comparing the effects of a 10-week BJJ program (n=10) and a 10-week hatha yoga program (n=10) vs. a 5-week waitlist control regimen (n=5). Subjects randomly assigned to the waitlist condition will be offered the choice of participating in the BJJ or yoga intervention after the 5-week waitlist period. By trial inclusion criteria, all subjects will be male U.S. service members or veterans who report significant symptoms of PTSD (as determined by the 20-item PTSD checklist (PCL-5) and supplemental measures. Assessments will occur pre-intervention, at the midpoint of the intervention (5 weeks), at the end of the assigned intervention period (10 weeks), and at 2-month follow-up for the BJJ and yoga arms of the trial. Study variables will consist of reliable and valid self-report measures of symptom status to be completed by all study participants. In addition, saliva samples will be collected before and after individual sessions of BJJ/Yoga at 3 timepoints: first session, mid-point session at 5 weeks, and final session at 10 weeks. The same measurement schedule will be used for collection of hair cortisol samples and actigraphy assessment of sleep quality captured from wearing a watch for a one-week period of time at baseline, 5-weeks, and 10-weeks. The waitlist control group will wear the actigraphy watch at baseline and 5 weeks.
The trial will estimate effect size of the 2 active treatment arms (BJJ, Yoga) compared to the waitlist condition, and similarly, examine whether the BJJ arm appears to be non-inferior to the Yoga arm of the trial. Whereas the trial, designed as a pilot, is not powered for formal hypothesis testing, estimates of effect size will be examined with respect to the following underlying hypotheses:
- Both the BJJ and Hatha Yoga regimens will provide evidence suggestive of superiority compared to the waitlist control regimen with respect to the primary outcome of symptoms of PTSD, as well as secondary outcomes.
- Results will provide evidence suggestive of non-inferiority of the BJJ regimen compared to Hatha Yoga with respect to the primary outcome of symptoms of PTSD, as well as secondary outcomes.
Analyses will inform the design of a future planned large clinical trial to determine the potential benefit of BJJ and/or Yoga in reducing symptoms of PTSD and related comorbidities.
- Conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Being tested
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hatha Yoga, Waitlist
- Medical subject headings
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Brazilian Jiu JitsuOther
Instruction of two classes each week for ten weeks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Hatha YogaOther
Instruction of two classes each week for ten weeks of Hatha Yoga
WaitlistOther
Participant will waitlist for 5 weeks and then be allowed to decide which intervention they want to do Group A/ Jiu Jitsu or Group B/Yoga for ten weeks..
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | Active comparator | Jiu Jitsu intervention for ten weeks Receives: Other: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
| Hatha Yoga | Active comparator | Yoga intervention for ten weeks Receives: Other: Hatha Yoga |
| Waitlist | Active comparator | Waitlist group for 5 weeks, then allowed to chose if they want to be in Group A Jiu Jitsu or Group B Yoga for ten week intervention Receives: Other: Waitlist |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in PTSD Checklist - 5 (PCL-5) score
There are 20 questions that inquire about the different symptoms that correspond to 4 different types of PTSD symptoms (intrusion, avoidances, negative affect and hyperarousal). Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (hasn't bothered a person in the past 2 weeks) to 4 (bothers the person all the time). We used total score on this test.
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Secondary outcomes (7)
Change in Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short form (PTGI-SF)
This scale assesses positive changes that may follow traumatic events. It consists of 10 items scored from "0" to "5" with 0 representing "no experience of change as a result of my crisis" and 5 representing "experiencing the change to a very great degree." The score from each item is summed to give a total score.
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in Brief Symptom Inventory -18 (BSI-18) score
This scale is the shortened form of the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). There are 18 items that address clinically relevant psychological symptoms in adolescents and adults that cover three factors - Somatization, Depression, and Anxiety - as well as a Global Severity Index. We used the Global Severity Score which is simply the summation of all the scales. The study subject is asked to score each item from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) with respect to the last 7 days.
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
The CES-D is a self-report scale that measures depressive symptomatology during the past week. There are 20 items and they are rated depending on whether the statement is worded positively or negatively. For positively worded questions, the scoring is:
- Most or all of the time (5-7 days) = 0
- Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days) = 1
- Some or a little of the time (1-2 days) = 2
- Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day) = 3.
For negatively worded questions, the scores are opposite:
- Most or all of the time (5-7 days) = 3
- Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days) = 2
- Some or a little of the time (1-2 days) = 1
- Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day) = 0
The scores on each item are simply added together. Total score can range from 0-60.
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
This self-report scale measures quality and patterns of sleep in adults over the prior month. In the first four questions, the participants are asked to provide discrete answers about bedtime, how long it takes them to fall asleep, what time do they get up in the morning and how many hours they sleep. All remaining questions are scored on a 4-point Likert scale. Standard scoring protocol will be performed. Total score on the test can range from 0-21.
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Pain Outcomes Questionnaire - Short Form (POQ)
This instrument assesses specific aspects of pain on five basic categories that include Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mobility, Negative Affect (NA), Vitality, and Fear. Each item is scored on a scale of 0-10 with higher scores representing increase severity. Total score was used.
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in Use of Medications
This is a self-made form that asks study participants to disclose medications that they are using and if medication use changes over time and with BJJ training
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)
This instrument assesses alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, and alcohol-related problems. There are 10 questions that are scored with a Likert scale ranging from "0" (Never) to "4" (4 or more times a week). Scores are totaled over the 10 questions. Total score ranges from 0-40, a score of 8 or more indicating potentially harmful behavior.
Measured: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jul 2024
- Study start30 Jul 2017
- Primary completion31 Aug 2024
- Study completion31 Aug 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Post Traumatic Stress DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of South FloridaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of South Florida
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Alison Willing, University of South Florida
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06497400
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 00026323
- Acronym
- JOYPTSDVET
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 19 Apr 2019
- Last updated
- 28 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Training Versus Hatha Yoga for Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among U.S. Male Veterans
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06497400
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- JOYPTSDVET / 00026323
- Conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of South FloridaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Jul 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling anxiety disorder that may occur after witnessing a traumatic event, and that evokes a combination of intrusion and avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity1.
The primary objective of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to estimate and compare the effects of the practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) vs. hatha yoga vs. a waitlist control condition in influencing symptoms of PTSD, related comorbidities, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life among U.S. service members/veterans with current symptoms of PTSD. In addition, objective measurements (comparisons) of stress and sleep quality will be made through the collection and evaluation of salivary alpha amylase, hair cortisol, and actigraphy, a non-invasive way to measure activity cycles.
Detailed description
The design is a three arm randomized controlled pilot trial comparing the effects of a 10-week BJJ program (n=10) and a 10-week hatha yoga program (n=10) vs. a 5-week waitlist control regimen (n=5). Subjects randomly assigned to the waitlist condition will be offered the choice of participating in the BJJ or yoga intervention after the 5-week waitlist period. By trial inclusion criteria, all subjects will be male U.S. service members or veterans who report significant symptoms of PTSD (as determined by the 20-item PTSD checklist (PCL-5) and supplemental measures. Assessments will occur pre-intervention, at the midpoint of the intervention (5 weeks), at the end of the assigned intervention period (10 weeks), and at 2-month follow-up for the BJJ and yoga arms of the trial. Study variables will consist of reliable and valid self-report measures of symptom status to be completed by all study participants. In addition, saliva samples will be collected before and after individual sessions of BJJ/Yoga at 3 timepoints: first session, mid-point session at 5 weeks, and final session at 10 weeks. The same measurement schedule will be used for collection of hair cortisol samples and actigraphy assessment of sleep quality captured from wearing a watch for a one-week period of time at baseline, 5-weeks, and 10-weeks. The waitlist control group will wear the actigraphy watch at baseline and 5 weeks.
The trial will estimate effect size of the 2 active treatment arms (BJJ, Yoga) compared to the waitlist condition, and similarly, examine whether the BJJ arm appears to be non-inferior to the Yoga arm of the trial. Whereas the trial, designed as a pilot, is not powered for formal hypothesis testing, estimates of effect size will be examined with respect to the following underlying hypotheses:
- Both the BJJ and Hatha Yoga regimens will provide evidence suggestive of superiority compared to the waitlist control regimen with respect to the primary outcome of symptoms of PTSD, as well as secondary outcomes.
- Results will provide evidence suggestive of non-inferiority of the BJJ regimen compared to Hatha Yoga with respect to the primary outcome of symptoms of PTSD, as well as secondary outcomes.
Analyses will inform the design of a future planned large clinical trial to determine the potential benefit of BJJ and/or Yoga in reducing symptoms of PTSD and related comorbidities.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | Active comparator | Other: Brazilian Jiu JitsuJiu Jitsu intervention for ten weeks |
| Hatha Yoga | Active comparator | Other: Hatha YogaYoga intervention for ten weeks |
| Waitlist | Active comparator | Other: WaitlistWaitlist group for 5 weeks, then allowed to chose if they want to be in Group A Jiu Jitsu or Group B Yoga for ten week intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 44 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Male U.S. service member or veteran
- Current evidence of significant symptoms of PTSD, indicative of probable diagnosis of PTSD, as determined from the 20-item PCL-5, and positive screen on the PTSD subscale of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ)
- Denial of suicidal/homicidal ideation or intent, and no evidence of psychotic behavior or being in psychological crisis
- Ability to read and speak English
- between 18 - 44 years of age or older
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Previous enrollment (past 6 months) in JJ regimen or Yoga regimen consistent with the regimens to be provided as the study interventions
- Major psychiatric disorder (e.g. bipolar disorder) uncontrolled and likely to interfere with treatment delivery (as determined by clinician assessment)
- Current substance abuse dependence (alcohol and/or drug) treatment anticipated to interfere with treatment delivery (i.e. exhibiting significant withdrawal symptoms or inability to refrain from substance dependence immediately prior to intervention sessions).
- Brain injury prohibiting speech, writing, and purposeful actions or screen positive for traumatic brain injury (history of concussion is acceptable).
- Cognitive impairment that prohibits informed consent and/or compliance to the study protocol.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Jiu JitsuInstruction of two classes each week for ten weeks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | Other | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
| Hatha YogaInstruction of two classes each week for ten weeks of Hatha Yoga | Other | Hatha Yoga |
| WaitlistParticipant will waitlist for 5 weeks and then be allowed to decide which intervention they want to do Group A/ Jiu Jitsu or Group B/Yoga for ten weeks.. | Other | Waitlist |
Primary outcome
Change in PTSD Checklist - 5 (PCL-5) score
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
There are 20 questions that inquire about the different symptoms that correspond to 4 different types of PTSD symptoms (intrusion, avoidances, negative affect and hyperarousal). Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (hasn't bothered a person in the past 2 weeks) to 4 (bothers the person all the time). We used total score on this test.
7 secondary outcomes
Change in Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short form (PTGI-SF)
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in Brief Symptom Inventory -18 (BSI-18) score
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Pain Outcomes Questionnaire - Short Form (POQ)
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in Use of Medications
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Change in score on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)
Time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Mar 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hatha Yoga and Waitlist in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, run by University of South Florida at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in PTSD Checklist - 5 (PCL-5) score (time frame: Change from pre-intervention to 2 months after completion of BJJ training). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Mar 2025.