For years, organizations around the globe have used scuba therapy for veterans with psychological and physical injuries — and a new study shows it's working.

The study, focused UK-based scuba therapy nonprofit called Deptherapy, showed that the therapeutic benefits of diving outweigh those of other sporting rehabilitation exercise.

Researchers at the University of East London’s Posttraumatic Growth Research Unit conducted the study using “a qualitative methodology that examines the experiences of participants and has been used in previous studies of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) in para-athletes,” according to a press release about the findings.

“This evidence-based study demonstrates yet again the value of scuba diving and, in particular, the support provided by Deptherapy to severely traumatized people within the Armed Forces community,” said Richard Cullen, chairman of Deptherapy, in the press release.

Lead researcher Petra Walker, an avid diver herself, examined the mental health benefits of therapeutic diving for her master’s degree. The full results will become publicly available when published in an academic journal at a later date.

“We await the publication of the detailed findings which we anticipate will be of considerable interest to all organizations who seek to assist in the rehabilitation of veterans through sporting activity, as well as the scuba diving world,” Cullen said.

Deptherapy recently held its first training expedition in the Red Sea since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Corey Goodson, a 20-year-old paraplegic, learned to dive on this expedition.

“Deptherapy doesn’t judge your injury, whether that be physical or psychological; it looks beyond, and it sees the person inside,” he said in the release. “More important than the sense of achievement during the training was the support, care, encouragement and love the team showed me… It is motivating and empowering — it gives me a deep sense of wellness and worth.”