Outdoor-Based Therapeutic Recreation Programs Among Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Assessing the Evidence

Abstract

Outdoor-based therapeutic recreation (TR) programs among military veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are becoming increasingly popular. A systematic review was conducted of 3 relevant databases, to examine the relationship between outdoor-based TR programs and psychosocial outcomes among veterans with PTSD. The final selection yielded 13 studies. Four were qualitative studies, whereas the remainder (n = 9) were quantitative studies. Outdoor-based TR programs may offer some important short-term psychosocial improvements in depression, PTSD, stress, and quality of life for veterans with PTSD. However, the methodological quality of all nine quantitative studies was weak, thus reducing confidence in its findings.

Keywords:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• depression
• quality of life
• military veteran
• outdoor
• recreation programs

Acknowledgments

We thank our colleagues Ms. Renae Watson, Assistant Professor from Colorado State University Libraries, and Dr. Sue Tungate from the School of Social Work at Colorado State University, who provided insight that greatly improved the manuscript.

Disclaimers

None