I am a student in exercise and sports sciences from the Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany and writing my Master Science dissertation on the subject: “Possible effects of exercise interventions in soldiers/ veterans with PTSD (post-traumatic-stress-disorder)”. The main part of my study consists of an interview of affected soldiers and veterans (you will answer open questions where you can decide between an online written chat interview (e.g. via Skype) or a written questionnaire). Therefore I would like to invite you to take part in my research study. The participation is completely voluntary and all information from you will remain completely anonymous. Before you decide, please read the following information carefully about the purpose of the study and what it will include. If there is anything that is unclear or you would like to have more information on, please do not hesitate to ask me.
I would really appreciate your participation!
Contact details
Eugenia Marga:
Supervisor Peter Wright:
______________________________________________________________________________________
Participant information sheet (03.07.2013)
Purpose of the pilot study
To date there are no scientific publications on possible effects of exercise in soldiers or veterans with PTSD and only few in civilians. Therefore I would like to collect some first-hand experiences and recommendations. This qualitative data might serve as a basis from which future treatments might benefit. Furthermore suggestions on how exercise could and should be used in the treatment of PTSD in soldiers and veterans can be derived.
Who can take part in this pilot study?
You have been recruited into this study as you meet the following criteria:
Do I have to take part?
You are not obliged to take part in the study and your participation is entirely voluntary.
What will I be asked?
If you decide to take part, please contact me via e-mail. Send me the copied agreement at the end of this participant information sheet and consent that you agree to it. Please let me know if you want to do an online written chat interview or to fill in a questionnaire with open questions (questions with free text responses).After that we will make an appointment for the online written interview (e.g. with Skype) or the written questions will be send to you which you can answer alone. In both, besides some personal data such as age and gender, you will be asked about your burdens and exercise experiences in the context of PTSD. You have the right to withdraw from the study without giving a reason any time.
How long is the study?
It depends on your responsiveness in the online interview or questionnaire. It is estimated that it will take approximately 30 minutes.
Possible disadvantages for participants?
Asking you questions about your experiences might cause you some emotional distress. You can stop answering at any point if you wish. You are free to continue later or to quit the study.
Advantages for participants?
You as the experts will help us to collect important information if exercise or sports is helpful or less helpful in coping with your PTSD symptoms. Your information might aid to give the basis of a longitudinal study in order to give specific recommendations regarding exercise interventions as a possible coping strategy as part of a holistic therapy in soldiers or veterans with PTSD.
Confidentiality
All information from you will only be used for this pilot study and will be treated anonymously in my Master dissertation. Nobody can identify you, because your identification will only be in the form of a number and all personnel and mission information (if given accidentally) will be treated anonymously. My supervisor is the only person besides me who may have a look at the given information from you to check that the study is being carried out correctly. He also underlies the data protection act.
What happens with the results of this research?
The results of the study will contribute towards a postgraduate Masters degree. There is a possibility that results may be published in journals.
Further information
You are able to know the results of the study. If you would like a summary of the results, please contact me.
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Agreement for participation in the pilot study “Possible effects of exercise in soldiers with PTSD (post-traumatic-stress-disorder)”
Please read the following statement and send me the agreement to my email (eugenia marga):
I confirm that I have read and understood the participant information sheet (dated 03.07.2013) for the pilot study and want to take part in the study.
I would like to do the online written chat interview (e.g. via Skype) / or a written questionnaire (which you can answer alone).
I would really appreciate your participation!
Contact details
Eugenia Marga:
Supervisor Peter Wright:
______________________________________________________________________________________
Participant information sheet (03.07.2013)
Purpose of the pilot study
To date there are no scientific publications on possible effects of exercise in soldiers or veterans with PTSD and only few in civilians. Therefore I would like to collect some first-hand experiences and recommendations. This qualitative data might serve as a basis from which future treatments might benefit. Furthermore suggestions on how exercise could and should be used in the treatment of PTSD in soldiers and veterans can be derived.
Who can take part in this pilot study?
You have been recruited into this study as you meet the following criteria:
- Age: over 18 year
- soldier or veteran
- diagnosed PTSD (in therapy/ not in therapy) OR
- not diagnosed PTSD, but you have the assumption to have a PTSD OR
- had PTSD in the past
- positive or negative experiences with exercise/ sports after a traumatic event
Do I have to take part?
You are not obliged to take part in the study and your participation is entirely voluntary.
What will I be asked?
If you decide to take part, please contact me via e-mail. Send me the copied agreement at the end of this participant information sheet and consent that you agree to it. Please let me know if you want to do an online written chat interview or to fill in a questionnaire with open questions (questions with free text responses).After that we will make an appointment for the online written interview (e.g. with Skype) or the written questions will be send to you which you can answer alone. In both, besides some personal data such as age and gender, you will be asked about your burdens and exercise experiences in the context of PTSD. You have the right to withdraw from the study without giving a reason any time.
How long is the study?
It depends on your responsiveness in the online interview or questionnaire. It is estimated that it will take approximately 30 minutes.
Possible disadvantages for participants?
Asking you questions about your experiences might cause you some emotional distress. You can stop answering at any point if you wish. You are free to continue later or to quit the study.
Advantages for participants?
You as the experts will help us to collect important information if exercise or sports is helpful or less helpful in coping with your PTSD symptoms. Your information might aid to give the basis of a longitudinal study in order to give specific recommendations regarding exercise interventions as a possible coping strategy as part of a holistic therapy in soldiers or veterans with PTSD.
Confidentiality
All information from you will only be used for this pilot study and will be treated anonymously in my Master dissertation. Nobody can identify you, because your identification will only be in the form of a number and all personnel and mission information (if given accidentally) will be treated anonymously. My supervisor is the only person besides me who may have a look at the given information from you to check that the study is being carried out correctly. He also underlies the data protection act.
What happens with the results of this research?
The results of the study will contribute towards a postgraduate Masters degree. There is a possibility that results may be published in journals.
Further information
You are able to know the results of the study. If you would like a summary of the results, please contact me.
*********************************************************************************
Agreement for participation in the pilot study “Possible effects of exercise in soldiers with PTSD (post-traumatic-stress-disorder)”
Please read the following statement and send me the agreement to my email (eugenia marga):
I confirm that I have read and understood the participant information sheet (dated 03.07.2013) for the pilot study and want to take part in the study.
I would like to do the online written chat interview (e.g. via Skype) / or a written questionnaire (which you can answer alone).
