Research

Rusty’s published paper found that ten weeks of surf therapy had significant reduced symptoms of on post traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. Open source article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296624000553

Published scientific literature of surf therapy to date includes the following beneficial outcomes:

  • Reduced PTSD symptoms (Moran et al., 2024; Otis et al., 2024; Walter et al., 2019)

  • Reduced depressive symptoms (Moran et al., 2024; Otis et al., 2020; Walter et al., 2019; Walter et al., 2023a).

  • Reduced anxiety symptoms (Moran et al., 2024; Walter et al., 2019; Walter et al., 2023b).

  • Improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, independence, resilience and protective coping strategies) (Caddick et al., 2015).

  • Improved social skills (Rogers et al., 2014).

  • Reduced social isolation (Caddick et al., 2015).

  • Reduced chronic pain (Fleischmann et al., 2011).

  • Improved physical health and mobility (Fleischmann et al., 2011).

  • Increased self-efficacy (Crawford, 2017) and a transferable sense of accomplishment (Marshall et al., 2020).

References

Caddick, N., Smith, B., & Phoenix, C. (2015). The Effects of Surfing and the Natural Environment on the Well-Being of Combat Veterans. Qualitative Health Research, 25(1), 76-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314549477

Crawford, R., T. . (2017). The impact of ocean therapy on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Independently published. Retrieved from: https://www.proquest.com/openview/1755691893bd8d9917ce3f990c288c0d/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750

Fleischmann, D., Michalewicz, B., Stedje-Larsen, E., Neff, J., Murphy, J., Browning, K., Nebeker, B., Cronin, A., Sauve, W., Stetler, C., Herriman, L., & McLay, R. (2011). Surf Medicine: Surfing as a Means of Therapy for Combat-Related Polytrauma. JPO: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 23, 27-29. https://doi.org/10.1097/JPO.0b013e3182065316

Moran, R., Sperandei, S., Peel, N., Gray, T., & Reis, A. (2024). The long-term effect of surf therapy on posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety symptomology among current and former australian defence force members - A nonrandomised controlled longitudinal study in a community setting. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 27, 100629. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100629

Marshall, J., Ferrier, B., Ward, P., & Martindale, R. (2020). "When I was surfing with those guys I was surfing with family." A Grounded Exploration of Program Theory within the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Surf Therapy Intervention. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 11(2), 1 - 19. Retrieved from https://journals.ku.edu/gjcpp/article/view/20672

Otis, N. P., Walter, K. H., Glassman, L. H., Ray, T. N., Kobayashi Elliott, K. T., & Michalewicz-Kragh, B. (2024). Comorbidity of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder: Outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of surf and hike therapies among service members. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy(Advance online publication). https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001673

Rogers, C. M., Mallinson, T., & Peppers, D. (2014). High-intensity sports for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression: feasibility study of ocean therapy with veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(4), 395-404. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.011221

Walter, K. H., Otis, N. P., Ray, T. N., Glassman, L. H., Michalewicz-Kragh, B., Powell, A. L., & Thomsen, C. J. (2019). Breaking the surface: Psychological outcomes among U.S. active duty service members following a surf therapy program. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 45, 101551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101551

Walter, K. H., Otis, N. P., Ray, T. N., Glassman, L. H., Beltran, J. L., Kobayashi Elliott, K. T., & Michalewicz-Kragh, B. (2023a). A randomized controlled trial of surf and hike therapy for U.S. active duty service members with major depressive disorder. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04452-7

Walter, K. H., Otis, N. P., Miggantz, E. L., Ray, T. N., Glassman, L. H., Beltran, J. L., Kobayashi Elliott, K. T., & Michalewicz-Kragh, B. (2023b). Psychological and functional outcomes following a randomized controlled trial of surf and hike therapy for U.S. service members. Front Psychol, 14, 1185774. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1185774