Aikido as an Augment to Residential Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment

There is strong evidence to support the effectiveness of residential PTSD treatment programs among military veterans; however, efforts are needed to build upon the effectiveness of these programs to improve patient outcomes. The present study examined the effects of augmenting an evidenced-based residential PTSD treatment program for veterans with group-based instruction in Aikido. Aikido is a nonpercussive martial art (no board breaking) focusing on empowering practitioners to neutralize aggression and defend oneself without hurting others. A quasi-experimental design was used to test for between-groups differences (receiving Aikido vs. not receiving Aikido) on PTSD and depression symptom change in a sample of male (n = 108) and female (n = 85) residential PTSD patients. Results suggest that female veterans receiving Aikido experienced a greater decrease in self-reported symptoms of PTSD (partial eta(2) = .05) and depression (partial eta(2) = .05) while in residential treatment. Significant benefits were not found for male veterans receiving Aikido. These findings support Aikido as a viable augment to evidence-based residential PTSD treatment for veterans, particularly for female veterans with comorbid symptoms of depression.