Exercise and fear learning recovery in PTSD

This research study is testing whether aerobic exercise—done right after a therapeutic session that helps reduce fear responses—can improve how well people with PTSD recover from trauma-related fears. The study will compare three different exercise intensities (light, moderate, and high) to see which works best. Researchers will measure changes in thinking, body responses, and brain activity to understand how exercise might strengthen fear recovery.

Many people with PTSD struggle with lingering fear responses even after therapy. This study explores whether adding exercise to fear-extinction therapy (a well-established treatment) could boost the brain's ability to consolidate and remember the fear-reduction learning, potentially making recovery more complete and lasting.