Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a substantial problem for Veterans and active members of armed forces across the globe, resulting in debilitating mental and physical comorbidities. Evidence-based treatments have demonstrated some success; however, many Veterans remain symptomatic mandating the urgent need for innovative treatment strategies.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of military Veterans with PTSD symptoms who participated in a therapeutic warm water immersion intervention aimed at reducing their symptoms.
Methods and procedures: A standardized warm 33 °C (92 °F) water immersion intervention to the chest, lasting 45 min was implemented. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the 13 participants (age 23-41) after engaging in the intervention. Using a qualitative descriptive design informed by phenomenology, thematic analysis was completed, applying criteria of rigor throughout the process.
Results: Five main themes explicated the participants' experience: the rhythm of relaxed, embracing the properties of the water, the pain floats away, acclimatize to calmness, and a place to set your mind. Participants described a sense of relaxation, calmness, pain reduction, and a means to control intrusive thoughts. All indicated they would recommend the intervention and provided feedback on how to refine it.
Conclusions: As a component of a larger study, these qualitative findings revealed the potential for therapeutic effects of a novel water immersion intervention. The findings serve to inform revisions to the intervention for future research and practice. Immersion provides a fast-acting, non-stigmatizing adjunct therapy for student Veterans who continue to experience symptoms during and after standard evidence-based treatment.
Keywords: PTSD; Veterans; Water immersion; pain; phenomenology.