Testing the role of aerobic exercise in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in U.S. active duty military personnel: a pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if the efficacy of imaginal exposure for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could be improved by adding aerobic exercise. We hypothesized that aerobic exercise would enhance the efficacy of exposure therapy. Active duty service members with clinically significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTSD Checklist-Stressor-Specific Version, [PCL-S], ≥25) were randomized into one of four conditions: exercise only; imaginal exposure only; imaginal exposure plus exercise; no exercise/no exposure therapy (control).

Whole dietary patterns to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: Optimizing cognitive performance, particularly during times of high stress, is a prerequisite to mission-readiness among military personnel. It has been of interest to determine whether such performance could be enhanced through diet.

Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for whole dietary patterns across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations to develop research recommendations for the military.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: There has been interest in identifying whether nutrients might help optimize cognitive performance, especially for the military tasked with ensuring mission-readiness.

Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations in order to develop research recommendations concerning n-3 PUFAs for mission-readiness.

Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched.

Caffeine to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: In 2001 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report on the use of caffeine during sustained military operations in which recommendations for research and practice were made.

Objective: This systematic review serves as an update on the current quality of the evidence and addresses gaps in the current literature surrounding the effects of caffeinated foods and beverages on cognitive functioning in healthy adult populations exposed to military-like moderators.

Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched.

Phytochemicals to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: Optimizing cognitive performance and preventing cognitive impairments that result from exposure to high-stress situations are important to ensure mission-readiness for military personnel.

Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for plant-based foods and beverages, or their phytochemical constituents, across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations to develop research recommendations for the military.

Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched.

Exercise intervention research for patients with cancer on treatment.

Objectives: To review the literature and summarize the findings of exercise intervention research for patients with cancer undergoing treatment.

Data Sources: Electronic databases of the Ovid Medline and CINAHL from 1980 to present. Reference lists from retrieved articles were reviewed and relevant articles included.

Research and commentary: Change in exercise tolerance, activity and sleep patterns, and quality of life in patients with cancer participating in a structured exercise program.

Purpose/objectives: To investigate the feasibility of an exercise program patterned after a phase II cardiac rehabilitation program to improve selected physiologic and psychological parameters of health in patients with cancer.

Design: Prospective, repeated measures study.

Setting: Two major military medical centers in the southwestern United States.