Acute influence of an adaptive sporting event on quality of life in veterans with disabilities

Sidiropoulos, Alexis; Glasberg, Jonathan J.; Moore, Timothy E.; Nelson, Leif; Maikos, Jason

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0277909

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Of note, the literature is rich on the association of increased service utilization in the VA among VWD 30 and the usefulness of adaptive interventions for veterans to improve quality of life, improve perceptions of disability, 26 and provide access to adaptive sporting engagement 31 as well as satisfaction with VA adaptive services. 32 Thus, available evidence suggests that the VA provides a host of services to veterans to mitigate the challenges of living with disability, which could attenuate risk for suicide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide Ideation, Plans, and Attempts Among Military Veterans vs Nonveterans With Disability

Blais,

Xie,

Kirby

et al. 2023

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportancePeople with disability are at heightened risk for suicide ideation, planning, and attempt, with risk growing as the number of disabling limitations increases. Military veterans have higher rates of suicide deaths and disability relative to nonveterans.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether veteran status is associated with greater risk for suicide in those with disability.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis survey study used cross-sectional self-reported data from US adults who participated in the 2015-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Data were weighted to represent the population. Data analysis was conducted from July to August 2022.Main Outcomes and MeasuresSuicide ideation, planning, and attempt served as primary outcomes. Disability status (present or absent) and number of disabling limitations (1, 2, or ≥3) served as factors. Veteran status was determined based on self-report (veteran or nonveteran). Multivariable logistic regression examined suicide ideation, planning, and attempt as a function of veteran status and disability variables.ResultsParticipants included 231 099 US veterans and nonveterans, representing 236 551 727 US adults, of whom 20.03% (weighted n = 47 397 876) reported a disabling limitation, 8.92% were veterans (weighted n = 21 111 727; 16.0% aged 35-49 years; 91.0% men; 6.7% Hispanic; 10.9% non-Hispanic Black; and 78.4% non-Hispanic White) and 91.08% were nonveterans (weighted n = 215 440 000; 25.4% aged 35-49 years; 44.0% male; 16.5% Hispanic; 11.7% non-Hispanic Black; and 63.3% non-Hispanic White). Overall, 4.39% reported suicide ideation, planning, or attempt (weighted n = 10 401 065). Among those with no disability, veteran status was associated with higher risk of suicide planning (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.71; 95% CI, 1.17-2.49). Among those with 1 or 2 disabling limitations, being a veteran was associated with a lower risk of suicide planning (AOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.95) and history of attempt (AOR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24-0.88).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study of how suicide risk differs as a function of disability and veteran status, risk for death by suicide was lower among veterans with disability relative to nonveterans with disability. Veteran status may mitigate risk for suicide given increased receipt of more disability-related care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Further research would extend this line of inquiry by examining the cause and type of disability as well as perceptions of disability on self-worth. It is possible that physical wounds of war are protective because of the meaning and value of service to one’s country.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide Ideation, Plans, and Attempts Among Military Veterans vs Nonveterans With Disability

Blais,

Xie,

Kirby

et al. 2023

JAMA Netw Open

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“…These adaptations may include modifying equipment such as bicycles or skis, using wheelchairs, or allowing caregiver participation/support. Recreational and adaptive programs are particularly valuable because they encourage physical exercise, often in a natural environment and with social interaction, factors that have been linked to improvements in mental health, quality of life, and functioning (e.g., Greer and Vin-Raviv, 2019 ; Walter et al, 2019 ; Wheeler et al, 2020 ; Walter et al, 2021 ; Sidiropoulos et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effectiveness of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for veterans with probable posttraumatic stress disorder

et al. 2023

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IntroductionRecreational and adaptive sports programs may be beneficial therapeutic interventions for improving psychological outcomes among veterans and service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they provide opportunities for exercise, socialization, respite, and time outdoors. Although there are an increasing number of sports programs for veterans and service members with PTSD, data evaluating the outcomes of such programs are limited.Materials and methodsThe sample included 74 U.S. veterans who participated in the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC), an annual, week-long adaptive sports program in San Diego, California. Participants were categorized into two subgroups: those who met criteria for probable PTSD using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (n = 20) and those who did not (n = 54). Participants completed self-report assessments before and after each daily activity, before and after the program, and 3 months following program completion.ResultsOver the course of NVSSC program participation, the diagnostic subgroups (probable PTSD vs. no PTSD) did not significantly differ on changes in depression, positive affect, negative affect, or insomnia. Compared to those without PTSD, veterans with PTSD experienced greater reduction in generalized anxiety during the program (MD = −3.07, p = 0.034). Veterans with PTSD also experienced significant improvements in PTSD symptoms at postprogram (MD = −23.76, p < 0.001). For both groups, significant benefits were shown during the program but rebounded by the 3-month follow-up. Over the course of each daily activity, positive affect (MD = 2.71, p < 0.001) and depression/anxiety scores significantly decreased (MD = −0.75, p < 0.001), with no differences between PTSD diagnostic groups across time (ps = 0.714 and 0.961, respectively).ConclusionVeterans with and without PTSD benefited from participation in the NVSSC. Participants with probable PTSD experienced greater improvements in generalized anxiety at postprogram only; there were no other significant differences between the two groups at postprogram or at 3-month follow-up. In line with prior research, benefits for those with PTSD were lost by 3-month follow-up, suggesting that regular engagement in recreational and adaptive sports may be necessary to sustain psychological health improvements.

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Acute influence of an adaptive sporting event on quality of life in veterans with disabilities

Cited by 2 publications

References 37 publications

Suicide Ideation, Plans, and Attempts Among Military Veterans vs Nonveterans With Disability

Suicide Ideation, Plans, and Attempts Among Military Veterans vs Nonveterans With Disability

The effectiveness of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for veterans with probable posttraumatic stress disorder

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