TY - JOUR
T1 - Randomized controlled trial of accelerated resolution therapy (ART) for symptoms of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
AU - Kip, Kevin E.
AU - Rosenzweig, Laney
AU - Hernandez, Diego F.
AU - Shuman, Amy
AU - Sullivan, Kelly L.
AU - Long, Christopher J.
AU - Taylor, James
AU - McGhee, Stephen
AU - Girling, Sue Ann
AU - Wittenberg, Trudy
AU - Sahebzamani, Frances M.
AU - Lengacher, Cecile A.
AU - Kadel, Rajendra
AU - Diamond, David M.
N1 - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling trauma and stress-related disorder that may occur after experiencing a traumatic event, and that evokes a combination of intrusion and avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity.
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - Objectives: Therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) endorsed by the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration are relatively lengthy, costly, and yield variable success. We evaluated Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for the treatment of combat-related psychological trauma. Methods: A randomized controlled trial of ART versus an Attention Control (AC) regimen was conducted among 57 U.S. service members/veterans. After random assignment, those assigned to AC were offered crossover to ART, with 3-month follow-up on all participants. Self-report symptoms of PTSD and comorbidities were analyzed among study completers and by the intention-to-treat principle. Results: Mean age was 41 ± 13 years with 19% female, 54% Army, and 68% with prior PTSD treatment. The ART was delivered in 3.7 ± 1.1 sessions with a 94% completion rate. Mean reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related guilt were significantly greater (p < 0.001) with ART compared to AC. Favorable results for those treated with ART persisted at 3 months, including reduction in aggression (p < 0.0001). Adverse treatment-related events were rare and not serious. Conclusions. ART appears to be a safe and effective treatment for symptoms of combat-related PTSD, including refractory PTSD, and is delivered in significantly less time than therapies endorsed by the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.
AB - Objectives: Therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) endorsed by the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration are relatively lengthy, costly, and yield variable success. We evaluated Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for the treatment of combat-related psychological trauma. Methods: A randomized controlled trial of ART versus an Attention Control (AC) regimen was conducted among 57 U.S. service members/veterans. After random assignment, those assigned to AC were offered crossover to ART, with 3-month follow-up on all participants. Self-report symptoms of PTSD and comorbidities were analyzed among study completers and by the intention-to-treat principle. Results: Mean age was 41 ± 13 years with 19% female, 54% Army, and 68% with prior PTSD treatment. The ART was delivered in 3.7 ± 1.1 sessions with a 94% completion rate. Mean reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related guilt were significantly greater (p < 0.001) with ART compared to AC. Favorable results for those treated with ART persisted at 3 months, including reduction in aggression (p < 0.0001). Adverse treatment-related events were rare and not serious. Conclusions. ART appears to be a safe and effective treatment for symptoms of combat-related PTSD, including refractory PTSD, and is delivered in significantly less time than therapies endorsed by the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84889646008&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00298
DO - 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00298
M3 - Article
SN - 0026-4075
VL - 178
SP - 1298
EP - 1309
JO - Military Medicine
JF - Military Medicine
IS - 12
ER -