Examining the effectiveness of an intensive, 2‐week treatment program for military personnel and veterans with PTSD: Results of a pilot, open‐label, prospective cohort trial
Journal of Clinical Psychology
Published online on June 19, 2018
Abstract
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Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when administered on a daily basis during a 2‐week period of time.
Method
In an open‐label, prospective cohort pilot trial, 20 U.S. military personnel and veterans diagnosed with PTSD or subthreshold PTSD participated in 12 daily sessions of CPT. Primary outcomes included Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5 and PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 scores. Secondary outcomes included Patient Health Questionnaire‐8 and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI) scores. Interviews and self‐report scales were completed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6 months after the treatment.
Results
Relative to baseline, PTSD symptom severity and rates of PTSD diagnosis were significantly reduced at posttreatment and 6‐month follow‐up. Depression symptom severity did not significantly improve, but suicide ideation significantly decreased at 6‐month follow‐up.
Conclusions
Daily administration of CPT is associated with significant reductions in PTSD and suicide ideation.
- Journal of Clinical Psychology, EarlyView.