Qualitative, pilot research yielded positive results from participants, with artist-participant Paula Lind sharing her experience in a drawing. She depicts therapy as an evolving practice, with its most recent developments being in movement and setting.

Participant Artwork Depicting Walk Therapy

While the intervention was successful in reducing PTSD symptoms and was well tolerated by participants, feedback indicated that participants found step tracking to be "burdensome" and focused more on the psychological benefit of walking. The following graphic includes critiques from participants' experience.

Grand Valley State University

Participants in pilot research initially reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms, mild-to-moderate mean DASS-depression, DASS-stress, and DASS-anxiety scores, and about 60% had low-moderate baseline physical activity. 

At the end of a 12 week walking therapy intervention, reported PTSD symptoms decreased, but did not significantly impact depression or anxiety scores. Participants also qualitatively reported a decrease in sedentary behaviors.

Walk Therapy's Impact on PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Symptoms & Physical Activity

Koziel, N., Vigod, S., Price, J., Leung, J., & Hensel, J. (2021). Walking psychotherapy as a health promotion strategy to improve mental and physical health for patients and therapists: Clinical open-label feasibility trial. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 67(2), 153–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437211039194

 Walking psychotherapy as a health promotion strategy to improve mental and physical health for patients and therapists: Clinical open-label feasibility trial

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