An interventional study of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Trauma and Stress Related Disorders and Occupational Stress, sponsored by Sam Houston State University. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-27.
Sponsored by Sam Houston State University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
This study explores whether participating in an 8-week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program is linked to changes in trauma-related symptoms among first responders. Many first responders experience ongoing stress or exposure to traumatic events, and some prefer physical, movement-based activities rather than traditional clinical services to support their well-being.
In this study, participants will attend BJJ classes one to two times per week for eight weeks. They will also complete short daily and weekly questionnaires about mood, stress, and well-being, write brief weekly reflections, and participate in a one-on-one interview after the program. The study aims to understand both symptom patterns and participants' personal experiences with emotional regulation and overall wellness during the program.
This study does not provide mental health treatment and will not diagnose or treat PTSD. Instead, it examines whether BJJ, as a non-clinical physical activity, may offer supportive benefits for first responders.
This study examines whether participation in an 8-week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program is associated with changes in trauma-related symptoms among first responders. First responders frequently experience repeated exposure to stressful or potentially traumatic events, yet many avoid traditional mental health services due to stigma, confidentiality concerns, and cultural expectations of emotional control. As a result, trauma-related symptoms often remain unaddressed. Some first responders prefer movement-based, non-clinical activities to support their well-being, making BJJ a culturally familiar and accessible option.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a structured grappling-based martial art that emphasizes controlled movement, breath regulation, problem-solving under pressure, and connection with training partners. Prior research with veterans and law enforcement officers suggests that BJJ may support emotional regulation, somatic awareness, and reductions in trauma-related distress. However, little research has examined BJJ as a complementary and alternative method (CAM) specifically for the broader first responder population.
This study uses a single-case research design (SCRD) to follow each participant over time. Participants will attend beginner-level BJJ classes for eight weeks and complete daily behavioral rating scales and weekly PTSD symptom measures (PCL-5). They will also complete a brief weekly journal entry and a post-program interview to describe their experiences with stress, mood, regulation, and connection throughout the intervention. This mixed-methods approach allows the study to examine both symptom patterns and participants' lived experiences.
This is not a clinical treatment study and does not diagnose or treat PTSD. The BJJ program is a non-clinical physical activity offered in a community gym setting. The study aims to understand whether participation in BJJ is associated with changes in trauma-related symptoms and related behavioral patterns such as anger/irritability, avoidance, somatic regulation, and relational connection. Findings may help identify culturally aligned, movement-based wellness options for first responders who may not engage in traditional mental health services.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this arm complete all phases of the study, including a baseline period, an 8-week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program, and a 4-week follow-up phase. During the baseline phase, participants do not engage in BJJ and complete daily behavioral rating scales and weekly PTSD symptom measures to establish symptom patterns prior to the intervention. During the 8-week intervention phase, participants attend beginner-level BJJ classes at a community academy and continue completing daily and weekly measures, along with weekly journal reflections. After the intervention, participants enter a 4-week follow-up phase in which they discontinue BJJ training and continue completing daily and weekly assessments to evaluate maintenance or change in symptoms. All participants receive the same sequence of activities and assessments, and no randomization or comparison arm is used.
Behavioral: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program
Participants engage in an 8-week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program delivered in a community martial arts academy. The intervention consists of beginner-level, instructor-led classes that emphasize controlled movement, breath regulation, positional problem-solving, and partner-based training. All participants attend the same type of classes and may modify activities as needed for safety. The BJJ program is a non-clinical, movement-based activity intended to support somatic regulation, emotional regulation, and relational connection. Participants complete daily behavioral rating scales, weekly PTSD symptom measures (PCL-5), and weekly journal reflections throughout the intervention. The program is preceded by a baseline phase with no BJJ participation and followed by a 4-week post-intervention phase to observe maintenance or change in symptoms. No randomization or masking is used; all participants receive the same intervention.
Also known as: BJJ Training, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes, Movement-Based Somatic Program, Complementary and Alternative Method (CAM), Structured Physical Activity Program
Change in Trauma Symptom Severity (PCL-5)
Weekly trauma symptom severity will be measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Scores will be collected across three phases: baseline, 8-week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu intervention, and 4-week follow-up. The measure will be used to observe individual patterns of change in trauma-related symptoms over time. Each participant serves as their own unit of analysis within a single-case research design.
Time frame: 15 Weeks: Baseline Phase (3 weeks), Intervention Phase (8 weeks), Follow-Up Phase (4 weeks)
Change in Daily Behavioral Regulation Scores
Daily behavioral functioning will be assessed using four single-item 0-10 rating scales measuring anger/irritability, behavioral avoidance, somatic regulation, and relational connection. Participants complete these ratings each day across all phases: baseline, 8-week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu intervention, and 4-week follow-up. These scales capture fluctuations in behavioral and emotional regulation that may not be fully represented by weekly trauma-symptom scores. Each participant serves as their own unit of analysis within a single-case research design.
Time frame: 15 Weeks Total: Baseline Phase (3 weeks), Intervention Phase (8 weeks), Follow-Up Phase (4 weeks)
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because the study involves a small sample of first responders and includes sensitive trauma-related information that could pose confidentiality risks. The IRB-approved protocol does not include a data-sharing plan, and all data will be stored securely and used only for the purposes of this dissertation research. Only aggregated results will be published.
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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic→
Sam Houston State University