The assessment and treatment of chronic pain (CP) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are national priorities for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) as we continue to see steep increases in the prevalence of these conditions among returning Veterans as well as relatively high rates of these conditions among civilians. Health behavior change is important in treating these conditions and proactively preventing long-term negative health sequelae, in order to benefit these individuals directly and reduce the challenges to our healthcare system. We will use an innovative translational research approach to study whether a progressive -based exercise program will help individuals suffering from CP/PTSD achieve exercise maintenance, and shared symptom reduction, through neuropeptide Y mediated improvements in putative factors known to improve exercise related self-efficacy and motivation. This study will compare the effects of a 3-month, individually prescribed progressive exercise training program on: 1) chronic pain (CP), depression and PTSD symptoms, and 2) neurobiological and related neuropsychological mechanisms by which our exercise-training paradigm may foster exercise maintenance.

Erica Rose Scioli, PhD

Principal Investigator

ericarose.scioli@va.gov

Boston University Medical Campus

Department of Psychiatry

Boston, MA

Dr. Scioli is a clinical psychologist and full time researcher at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) within the research service.  She is also an affiliate of the National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division (NCPTSD-WHSD) at VABHS and an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM).  Dr. Scioli’s research interests are at the intersection of medical and psychological health among Veterans and she specializes in treating chronic pain and PTSD.  Dr. Scioli’s currently funded NIH R21 study aims to use an innovative, translational, experimental medicine approach to study whether a progressive -based exercise program will help individuals suffering from CP/PTSD achieve exercise maintenance, and shared symptom reduction, through neuropeptide Y mediated improvements in putative factors (self-regulation and reward sensitivity) known to improve exercise related self-efficacy and motivation.

Inna Belfer, MD, PhD

NIH/NCCIH

Program Official

inna.belfer@nih.gov