Comparing meditative scuba diving versus multisport activities to improve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot, randomized controlled clinical trial.
Lionel Gibert, Mathieu Coulange, Jean-Charles Reynier, Frédéric Le Quiniat, Aymeric Molle, Frédéric Bénéton, Vincent Meurice, Jean Arthur Micoulaud, Marion Trousselard
European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2022 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2022.2031590 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Subjects suffering from PTSD |
| Interventions | Bathysmed® protocol multisport program |
| Duration | One month follow-up, three month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Scuba diving Terrorist attack |
| Key findings | The Bathysmed® protocol improved PCL-5 scores more than a multisport program, but the result was not significant; it significantly reduced intrusion symptoms after one month. |
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and disabling disease that currently has no fully effective therapeutic solution. Complementary approaches, such as relaxation, sport, or meditation, could be therapeutic aids for symptom reduction. Scuba diving combines sport and mindfulness training and has been found to have a positive effect on chronic stress and PTSD. The first objective of this pilot study is to compare the effectiveness of diving associated with mindfulness exercises (the Bathysmed® protocol) with multisport activity in reducing PTSD symptoms. The secondary objective is to compare the impact of the Bathysmed® protocol on mindfulness functioning in the two groups of subjects suffering from PTSD. This proof-of-concept took the form of a controlled randomized clinical trial. The primary endpoint was the severity of PTSD symptoms, measured by the PCL-5 (PTSD Check List) scale. Half of the group were exposed to the Bathysmed® protocol (the experimental condition), and the other half to a non-specific multisport program. Bathysmed® protocol improved PCL-5 scores more than the multisport program but the result was not significant. The protocol was significantly better than the multisport activity in reducing intrusion symptoms of PTSD after one month. Globally, trait mindfulness scores improved up to one month after the course, but the result was not significant. Three months after the course, there was no difference between the two groups with regard to PCL-5 and Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory scores.. Our study demonstrates the value of the Bathysmed® protocol even though it suffers from a lack of power and could only obtain partial but encouraging results. Mindfulness must be practiced over the long term to achieve stable benefits. This probably explains why no differences persisted three months after the course. Further work is needed to confirm the initial results obtained with this pilot study.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Randomized controlled trials of mind-body interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- Complementary and integrative interventions for PTSD. European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2023
- Do Contemplative Practices Promote Trauma Recovery? A Narrative Review from 2018 to 2023. Healthcare November 7, 2025
- Meditation Beneath the Surface: A Narrative Review of Underwater Mindfulness, Breath-Hold Physiology and Contemplative Tradition Journal of Happytalism and Fundamental Peace October 14, 2026
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