A recent San Diego State University (SDSU) study examines how surf therapy can help military veterans cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research, led by Jonathan Ossie, a marketing lecturer at SDSU’s Fowler College of Business, investigated both psychological and physiological improvements in veterans diagnosed with PTSD after participating in surf therapy programs.
Study Design and Participants
The study, titled “Wave of Change: Assessing Surf Therapy’s Psychological and Physiological Benefits for Military Veterans Using Wearable Technology,” involved 41 participants—27 men and 14 women—all of whom were active-duty military members or veterans with PTSD.
In collaboration with Operation Surf, a California-based nonprofit, the program included surf lessons, surfboards, and adaptive equipment tailored to individual physical or psychological needs. Additional activities such as yoga, stretching, and peer-support sessions complemented the surfing.
Key Findings on Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep
The research demonstrated notable improvements across multiple areas immediately following the week-long surf therapy:
Depression: Overall depression levels decreased by 44%, with women showing the most significant improvement. Although depression scores rose slightly after 30 days, they remained substantially lower than baseline.
Anxiety: Before the program, 40% of participants reported the highest anxiety levels. This dropped to 10% immediately after the intervention and modestly increased to 14% one month later.
Sleep Quality: Both deep sleep and REM sleep increased during the program but waned slightly 30 days post-treatment.
Physiological Outcomes and Long-Term Impact
Heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic nervous system function and stress, decreased by 12% during surf therapy, suggesting potential stress changes linked to learning to surf, though more data are needed to clarify this effect.
Despite women experiencing the greatest immediate benefits, men showed more sustained improvements 30 days after the intervention. Continued engagement in surfing, yoga, stretching, and maintaining peer relationships seemed to support long-term mental health gains.
Implications and Future Directions
Ossie emphasized that surf therapy provides a non-clinical, peer-supported environment that could be less stigmatizing and more accessible than traditional mental health treatments for veterans with PTSD. He suggested further research explore how such programs might complement clinical care, reduce barriers to treatment, and encourage ongoing mental health recovery.
As surf therapy gains evidence for its therapeutic value, it introduces innovative alternatives to support veterans battling depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances linked to PTSD.
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