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Developing and Testing a Trauma-Informed Exercise Intervention for Women Veterans With Histories of Sexual Violence

Who can join

Ages 21 to 65 · Women · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* Veteran self-identifies as woman
* has a history of sexual violence at any point in their lifetime
* between the ages of 21 an 65
* currently does not meet physical activity level guidelines
* reports some functional difficulties that indicate some interference in daily life
* safe and private location to engage in the virtual exercise program

Exclusion Criteria:

* does not identify a safe and private location for exercise participation
* severe drug or alcohol use disorder within the past year
* clinically significant:

  * neurological disorder
  * systemic illness affecting central nervous system function
  * history of seizure disorder in the past 5 years
  * uncontrolled diabetes
  * end stage liver disease or currently receiving dialysis
  * physical disabilities precluding use of exercise equipment
  * significant cognitive impairment
  * active signs and symptoms of CVD
  * metabolic
  * renal disease
  * if taking antidepressants must have stable regimen
  * if in psychotherapy maintain therapy throughout trial

About the study

Exposure to sexual violence disproportionally impacts women Veterans and can have profound negative impacts on daily functioning. Current treatments for sexual violence focus on psychiatric symptoms and ignore frequently co-occurring physical and psychosocial concerns. Exercise can improve trauma-related physical, mental, and psychosocial health conditions and may help women who have experienced sexual violence. Yet, women Veterans experience many barriers to participating in exercise and prefer interventions that are tailored to their preferences. This proposal will develop and test an exercise intervention tailored specifically to women Veterans who have experienced sexual violence. Treatment development will be informed by women Veterans with histories of sexual violence and their providers. Feasibility and acceptability will be tested, and outcomes will be explored to inform future research. This intervention is urgently needed to address gaps in integrative care and persistent trauma-related health concerns among women Veterans with histories of sexual violence.

What is being tested

• Exercise (behavioral)

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Participants: 40 · Started: Oct 1, 2025

Contact the study team

• Michelle M Pebole, PhD MA · Phone: (857) 364-4989

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06746740

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.