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Hernandez-Tejada MA, Little DM, Bruce MJ, Butte S, Burnett J, Wood L, Acierno R. Building resilience: A specialty clinic tailored to older adults at risk of violence and abuse. Int J Psychiatry Med 2024:912174241272591. [PMID: 39097799 DOI: 10.1177/00912174241272591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Both structural (e.g., ageism) and personal (e.g., stigma) barriers hinder older adult's access to and engagement with mental health care). These barriers are particularly problematic for those vulnerable to interpersonal violence and abuse (e.g., due to social isolation). This study presents a quality improvement program aimed at older adults who have experienced significant stress events, particularly elder mistreatment, within a larger trauma specialty clinic. Leveraging home-based telemedicine, the clinic provides evidence-based psychotherapy tailored to older adults' needs. METHODS From 2021 through 2023, the authors retrospectively examined treatment initiation, engagement, completion, and clinical outcomes among 231 older adults age 60+ who reported trauma that met DSM-5 criterion A criteria for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and other mental health comorbid conditions related to their traumatic event. The clinic uses an automated measurement-based care approach that facilitates Quality Improvement projects, allowing us to track treatment initiation, engagement, completion, and clinical outcomes for all patients. RESULTS The results indicated high treatment completion, high engagement with telemedicine-delivered interventions, and, most importantly, significant changes in clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the importance of expanding telemedicine-based mental health services for older adults, challenging ageist norms, and prioritizing older adults' mental health needs by providing tailored services to this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melba A Hernandez-Tejada
- Louis A. Faillace, MD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Deborah M Little
- Louis A. Faillace, MD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Madeline J Bruce
- Louis A. Faillace, MD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarly Butte
- Louis A. Faillace, MD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Burnett
- Joan and Stanford Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leila Wood
- Louis A. Faillace, MD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ron Acierno
- Louis A. Faillace, MD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System, Charleston, SC, USA
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Fry KM, Bennett DC, Roberge EM, McClain CM, Rugo-Cook K, Brewczynski J, Pryor C. The effects of Religiosity, Spirituality, and sense of purpose on posttraumatic stress disorder treatment outcomes among Veterans. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 176:276-281. [PMID: 38905760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Religion/spirituality (R/S) is an important and commonly used resource for coping with difficult experiences and has been shown to reduce the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following a trauma. However, it is not clear how R/S affects response to treatment of PTSD. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper was to understand how Veterans' R/S and sense of purpose were related to clinical outcomes when engaging in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE). It was predicted that Veterans identifying as R/S would have a higher sense of purpose, be more likely to complete treatment, and have greater symptom change during treatment. METHOD The study included 91 military Veterans from a VA Medical Center outpatient PTSD Clinical Team who initiated CPT or PE and responded to a question about the importance of R/S in their lives at intake. RESULTS Forty nine percent of the Veterans in this sample reported R/S were important to them and had mixed feelings about whether their life had a clear sense of purpose. Neither R/S nor sense of purpose were associated with treatment completion or response to PTSD treatment. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that once PTSD has developed, R/S or sense of purpose may not play a significant role in completion of or response to evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for PTSD. EBPs for PTSD are equally effective for Veterans identifying as R/S and those who do not, which may be reflective of administering EBPs in a culturally responsive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M Fry
- VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, United States.
| | - Diana C Bennett
- VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, United States
| | - Erika M Roberge
- VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, United States
| | | | | | - Jacek Brewczynski
- VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Utah, United States
| | - Cosette Pryor
- VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Utah, United States
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Racz JI, Bialocerkowski A, Calteaux I, Farrell LJ. Determinants of Exposure Therapy Implementation in Clinical Practice for the Treatment of Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD: A Systematic Review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2024; 27:317-341. [PMID: 38630196 PMCID: PMC11222222 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-024-00478-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Exposure therapy (ET) forms a vital part of effective psychotherapy for anxiety-related presentations including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is often underutilised in clinical practice. Using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), this systematic review synthesised existing literature on the determinants of ET implementation for anxiety-related presentations and examined differences across presentations and developmental subgroups. Fifty-two eligible studies were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, with 389 results (99%) mapped onto the TDF. Results suggested that clinicians' negative beliefs about the consequences of ET were commonly associated with reduced implementation. It also appeared that whilst broad unspecified ET training may be related to improved implementation for anxiety disorders; greater implementation for complex presentations (i.e., PTSD) likely requires more specialised training involving practical components. A subset of domains (e.g., social/professional role and identity) accounted for most results, whilst some remain unexplored (i.e., optimism; reinforcement; memory, attention, and decision processes) or underexplored (i.e., behavioural regulation). Likewise, specific presentations and developmental subgroups (i.e., PTSD and adults) represented a greater proportion of results in the literature than others (i.e., OCD and youth). Future research exploring ET implementation, across specific presentations and developmental subgroups, would benefit from integrating implementation science frameworks to guide the development of targeted, comprehensive strategies to close the research-practice gap of ET for the treatment of anxiety-related presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J I Racz
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.
| | | | - I Calteaux
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - L J Farrell
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
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Sayer NA, Kaplan A, Nelson DB, Wiltsey Stirman S, Rosen CS. Clinician Burnout and Effectiveness of Guideline-Recommended Psychotherapies. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e246858. [PMID: 38630477 PMCID: PMC11024738 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.6858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Clinician burnout has been associated with clinician outcomes, but the association with patient outcomes remains unclear. Objective To evaluate the association between clinician burnout and the outcomes of patients receiving of guideline-recommended trauma-focused psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study was set at the US Veterans Affairs Health Care System and included licensed therapists who provided trauma-focused psychotherapies and responded to an online survey between May 2 and October 8, 2019, and their patients who initiated a trauma-focused therapy during the following year. Patient data were collected through December 31, 2020. Data were analyzed from May to September 2023. Exposures Therapists completing the survey reported burnout with a 5-point validated measure taken from the Physician Worklife Study. Burnout was defined as scores of 3 or more. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was patients' clinically meaningful improvement in PTSD symptoms according to the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition). Patient dropout, therapist adherence, and session spacing was assessed through electronic health records. Multivariable random-effects logistic regression examined the association of therapist burnout and clinically meaningful improvement, adjusted for case-mix. Results In this study, 165 of 180 (91.7%) therapists (89 [53.9%] female) completed the burnout measure and provided trauma-focused psychotherapies to 1268 patients (961 [75.8%] male) with outcome data. Fifty-eight (35.2%) therapists endorsed burnout. One third of patients (431 [34.0%]) met criterion for clinically meaningful improvement. Clinically meaningful improvement in PTSD symptoms was experienced by 120 (28.3%) of the 424 patients seen by therapists who reported burnout and 311 (36.8%) of the 844 patients seen by therapists without burnout. Burnout was associated with lower odds of clinically meaningful improvement (adjusted odds ratio [OR],0.63; 95% CI, 0.48-0.85). The odds of clinically meaningful improvement were reduced for patients who dropped out (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.11-0.20) and had greater session spacing (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.92). Therapist adherence was not associated with therapy effectiveness. Adjusting for dropout or session spacing did not meaningfully alter the magnitude of the association between burnout and clinically meaningful improvement. Conclusions and Relevance In this prospective cohort study, therapist burnout was associated with reduced effectiveness of trauma-focused psychotherapies. Studying when and how burnout affects patient outcomes may inform workplace interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina A. Sayer
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Adam Kaplan
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - David B. Nelson
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Shannon Wiltsey Stirman
- National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Dissemination and Training Division at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Craig S. Rosen
- National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Dissemination and Training Division at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Somohano VC, Cameron D, Lewis M, Denneson LM, Lovejoy TI, O'Neil ME. Characterizing and Comparing Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Utilization Among Veterans with Co-occurring PTSD and Substance Use Disorder. Subst Use Misuse 2024; 59:425-431. [PMID: 38111167 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2275566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The current study sought to describe a nationally representative sample of Veterans diagnosed with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder (SUD) who initiated and completed evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD, and explored whether completion rates differed by SUD subtype. Methods: Using electronic health record data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Corporate Data Warehouse, Veterans with a dual diagnosis of PTSD and SUD who initiated either Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE) between January 01, 2019 and July 16, 2019 were identified (N = 2,996). Logistic analyses were employed to determine whether there were differences in EBP completion rates among Veterans with an alcohol use disorder (AUD; n = 1,383) versus all other SUDs (n = 1,613). Results: On average, Veterans were 45 years old, and identified as male, White, and non-Hispanic. Logistic regression analyses revealed there was not a significant difference between Veterans with AUD only and other SUDs in the probability of completing EBP treatment, OR = 1.02, 95% CI =0.87, 1.17, p = 0.79. Conclusions: No differences in EBP completion rates were observed between SUD subtypes, indicating that EBPs for PTSD are tolerated well for individuals with various types of SUDs and may be offered as treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa C Somohano
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - David Cameron
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Meaghan Lewis
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Lauren M Denneson
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Travis I Lovejoy
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Maya E O'Neil
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
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Sripada RK, Peterson CL, Dziak JJ, Nahum-Shani I, Roberge EM, Martinson AA, Porter K, Grau P, Curtis D, McElroy S, Bryant S, Gracy I, Pryor C, Walters HM, Austin K, Ehlinger C, Sayer N, Wiltsey-Stirman S, Chard K. Using the multiphase optimization strategy to adapt cognitive processing therapy (CPT MOST): study protocol for a randomized controlled factorial experiment. Trials 2023; 24:676. [PMID: 37858262 PMCID: PMC10588087 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately ten percent of US military veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a highly effective, evidence-based, first-line treatment for PTSD that has been widely adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). CPT consists of discrete therapeutic components delivered across 12 sessions, but most veterans (up to 70%) never reach completion, and those who discontinue therapy receive only four sessions on average. Unfortunately, veterans who drop out prematurely may never receive the most effective components of CPT. Thus, there is an urgent need to use empirical approaches to identify the most effective components of CPT so CPT can be adapted into a briefer format. METHODS The multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) is an innovative, engineering-inspired framework that uses an optimization trial to assess the performance of individual intervention components within a multicomponent intervention such as CPT. Here we use a fractional factorial optimization trial to identify and retain the most effective intervention components to form a refined, abbreviated CPT intervention package. Specifically, we used a 16-condition fractional factorial experiment with 270 veterans (N = 270) at three VA Medical Centers to test the effectiveness of each of the five CPT components and each two-way interaction between components. This factorial design will identify which CPT components contribute meaningfully to a reduction in PTSD symptoms, as measured by PTSD symptom reduction on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5, across 6 months of follow-up. It will also identify mediators and moderators of component effectiveness. DISCUSSION There is an urgent need to adapt CPT into a briefer format using empirical approaches to identify its most effective components. A brief format of CPT may reduce attrition and improve efficiency, enabling providers to treat more patients with PTSD. The refined intervention package will be evaluated in a future large-scale, fully-powered effectiveness trial. Pending demonstration of effectiveness, the refined intervention can be disseminated through the VA CPT training program. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05220137. Registration date: January 21, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Sripada
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
| | - Cassaundra L Peterson
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - John J Dziak
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Inbal Nahum-Shani
- University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Erika M Roberge
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
| | | | | | - Peter Grau
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Diana Curtis
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | - Sarah Bryant
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Isabel Gracy
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Cosette Pryor
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Heather M Walters
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Karen Austin
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | - Nina Sayer
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - Kathleen Chard
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA
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Ranney RM, Bernhard PA, Holder N, Vogt D, Blosnich JR, Schneiderman AI, Maguen S. Factors associated with receipt of minimally adequate psychotherapy for PTSD at the Veterans Health Administration. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 166:80-85. [PMID: 37741063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite Veterans Health Administration (VHA) efforts, many Veterans do not receive minimally adequate psychotherapy (MAP) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is important to understand factors associated with receipt of PTSD MAP (at least eight sessions) so that we may tailor efforts to increase treatment utilization for those who experience the greatest barriers to care. METHODS Participants were 2008 post-9/11 Veterans who participated in a nationwide survey and had a PTSD diagnosis documented in the VHA electronic health record (EHR) before 2018. Participants self-reported sociodemographic information and trauma history. Service utilization data (e.g., PTSD MAP) were obtained from EHR. Logistic regression was used to model factors associated with PTSD MAP. RESULTS Only 24% of Veterans (n = 479) received PTSD MAP. Veterans who reported that they were not employed and had reported history of military sexual trauma were more likely to have received PTSD MAP. CONCLUSIONS Understanding and addressing barriers to PTSD care for Veterans who are employed could help improve PTSD treatment utilization for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Ranney
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA; University of California - San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Paul A Bernhard
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures, Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20420, USA
| | - Nicholas Holder
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA; University of California - San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- VA Boston Health Care System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02130, USA; Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - John R Blosnich
- University of Southern California, 669 W 34th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System, 4100 Allequippa St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA
| | - Aaron I Schneiderman
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures, Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20420, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA; University of California - San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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Cardona ND, Ametaj AA, Cassiello-Robbins C, Tirpak JW, Olesnycky O, Sauer-Zavala S, Farchione TJ, Barlow DH. Outcomes of People of Color in an Efficacy Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for Anxiety, Depression, and Related Disorders: Preliminary Evidence. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:711-720. [PMID: 37432031 PMCID: PMC10524474 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Although evidence-based psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have strong empirical support for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, CBT outcome research often does not report race and ethnicity variables, or assess how well CBT works for people from historically excluded racial and ethnic groups. This study presents post hoc analyses comparing treatment retention and symptom outcomes for participants of color ( n = 43) and White participants ( n = 136) from a randomized controlled efficacy trial of CBT. χ 2 tests and one-way ANCOVA showed no observable differences between the two samples on attrition or on clinician-rated measures of anxiety and depression at posttreatment and follow-up. Moderate to large within-group effect sizes on anxiety and depression were found for Black, Latinx, and Asian American participants at almost all time points. These preliminary findings suggest that CBT for anxiety and comorbid depression may be efficacious for Black, Asian American, and Latinx individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Cardona
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amantia A Ametaj
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Olenka Olesnycky
- Department of Psychology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
| | | | - Todd J Farchione
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David H Barlow
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Cameron D, Shiner B, O'Neill A, O'Neil M. Factors Associated with Engaging in Evidence-Based Psychotherapy During the First Year of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Between 2017 and 2019. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2023; 50:813-823. [PMID: 37338657 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-023-01280-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
To address the burden of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) implemented evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for PTSD at all VHA medical centers. Prior investigations show EBP utilization has increased following the initial nationwide implementation. However, most patients still do not engage in EBPs and those who do often have substantial delays between diagnosis and treatment which is associated with poorer treatment outcomes. The goal of the current study is to identify patient and clinical factors associated with initiating EBP and completing a minimally adequate dose of treatment within the first year of a new PTSD diagnosis. Overall, 263,018 patients started PTSD treatment between 2017 and 2019 and 11.6% (n = 30,462) initiated EBP during their first year of treatment. Of those who initiated EBP, 32.9% (n = 10,030) received a minimally adequate dose. Older patients were less likely to initiate EBP, but more likely to receive an adequate dose when they did initiate. Black, Hispanic/Latino/a, and Pacific Islander patients' likelihood of initiating EBP was not significantly different than White patients, but these patients were less likely to receive an adequate dose. Patients with comorbid depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or substance use disorders were less likely to initiate EBP, while patients reporting MST were more likely to initiate EBP. This study identifies several patient-level disparities that could be prioritized to increase EBP utilization. In our evaluation, most patients did not engage in EBP during their first year of PTSD treatment, which is consistent with previous evaluations of EBP utilization. Future research should focus on understanding the flow of patients from PTSD diagnosis to treatment to support effective PTSD care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cameron
- VA Portland Health Care System, (R&D 66), 3710, SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Brian Shiner
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, Hartford, VT, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Hartford, VT, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Allison O'Neill
- VA Portland Health Care System, (R&D 66), 3710, SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Maya O'Neil
- VA Portland Health Care System, (R&D 66), 3710, SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Ackland PE, Koffel EA, Goldsmith ES, Ullman K, Miller WA, Landsteiner A, Stroebel B, Hill J, Wilt TJ, Duan-Porter W. Implementation of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2023; 50:792-812. [PMID: 37326899 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-023-01279-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Guidelines strongly recommend trauma-focused therapies to treat posttraumatic stress disorder. Implementation of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA settings began in 2006. We conducted a systematic review of implementation facilitators and challenges and strategies to address barriers. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception until March 2021 for English-language articles. Two individuals reviewed eligibility and rated quality. Quantitative results were abstracted by one reviewer and verified by a second. Qualitative results were independently coded by two reviewers and finalized through consensus. We used RE-AIM and CFIR frameworks to synthesize findings. 29 eligible studies addressed CPT/PE, mostly conducted in VHA. Training/education with audit/feedback was the primary implementation strategy and was linked to improved provider CPT/PE perceptions and self-efficacy. Use was not widespread. Only six studies tested other implementation strategies with mixed impact. Following VHA implementation, strong support for training, perceived effectiveness for patients and benefits for clinics, and positive patient experiences and relationships with providers were reported. However, barriers persisted including perceived protocol inflexibility, complex referral processes and patient complexity and competing needs. In non-VHA settings, providers perceived fewer barriers, but few were CPT/PE trained. Across both settings, fewer studies targeted patient factors. Training/education with audit/feedback improved perceptions and the availability of CPT/PE, but not consistent use. Studies testing implementation strategies to address post-training challenges, including patient-level factors, are needed. A few studies are underway in VHA to test patient-focused and other implementation strategies. Research assessing actual vs perceived barriers in non-VHA settings is needed to elucidate unique challenges experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Princess E Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | | | - Elizabeth S Goldsmith
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Kristen Ullman
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Veterans Affairs Evidence Synthesis Program, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Wendy A Miller
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Adrienne Landsteiner
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Veterans Affairs Evidence Synthesis Program, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Benjamin Stroebel
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Veterans Affairs Evidence Synthesis Program, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Jessica Hill
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Veterans Affairs Evidence Synthesis Program, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Timothy J Wilt
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Veterans Affairs Evidence Synthesis Program, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Wei Duan-Porter
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Veterans Affairs Evidence Synthesis Program, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
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11
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Grimm CJ, de Terte I, Hodgetts D, Kearney S. Narratives of holistic mental health recovery in New Zealand Defence Force personnel. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37643328 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2250708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Research on military mental health recovery has tended to focus on therapy outcomes while backgrounding the role of diverse healing influences. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is a bicultural military integrated with Māori customs and cultural perspectives on holistic health and wellbeing. This study used narrative analysis to examine the semi-structured interviews of 21 active duty NZDF personnel who had accessed mental healthcare to understand what factors contributed to their return to wellness. Narratives described an orientation toward recovery as a process, where many interrelated wellbeing and social factors together supported the return to health. Culturally available Māori wellbeing metaphors were adopted as heuristics by service members in their storying of growth and healing. Findings are considered in terms of how wellbeing and recovery are conceptualized and promoted within militaries with diverse cultures. Discussion focuses on how narratives within military institutions can promote resilience and support service member recovery from mental distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten James Grimm
- Directorate of Health, New Zealand Defence Force, Wellington, New Zealand
- School of Psychology, Manawatu Campus, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Ian de Terte
- School of Psychology, Wellington Campus, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Darrin Hodgetts
- School of Psychology, Albany Campus, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stephen Kearney
- Directorate of Health, New Zealand Defence Force, Wellington, New Zealand
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12
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Maguen S, Batten A, Hubbard A, Holder N, Burkman K, Cottonham D, Purcell N, Mehlman H, Shiner B. Advancing health equity by understanding race disparities and other factors associated with PTSD symptom improvement following evidence-based psychotherapy. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 98:102747. [PMID: 37515867 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Several studies found that Black veterans demonstrate less posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom improvement than White veterans following PTSD evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs). We aimed to understand this disparity among veterans receiving EBPs by modeling race with demographic, clinical, and service utilization factors. Using electronic health records, we employed a cohort study of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans who initiated PTSD EBP treatment and completed > 2 PTSD symptom measures (N = 21,751). Using hierarchical Bayesian logistic regressions, we modeled the probability of PTSD symptom improvement. Black race was associated with less PTSD improvement (mean posterior odds ratio [MPOR] = 0.92; 95 % plausibility interval [PI] = 0.84, 1.0), as was group therapy (MPOR = 0.67; 95 % PI = 0.62, 0.73). Factors associated with greatest improvement included prolonged exposure (MPOR = 1.35; 95 % PI = 1.25, 1.45) and treatment density (MPOR = 1.40; 95 % PI = 1.36, 1.45). On average, Black veterans evidenced PTSD EBP improvement disparities. Clinical and utilization did not fully account for these disparities, although disproportionate representation of Black veterans in group CPT may explain some of these differences. Understanding experiences such as race-based trauma and chronic racism and discrimination is critical to provide Black veterans with the most effective PTSD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Adam Batten
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Asale Hubbard
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Holder
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kristine Burkman
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Danielle Cottonham
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Natalie Purcell
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Haley Mehlman
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brian Shiner
- White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
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13
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Wells SY, Morland LA, Hurst S, Jackson GL, Kehle-Forbes SM, Jaime K, Aarons GA. Veterans' reasons for dropping out of prolonged exposure therapy across three delivery modalities: A qualitative examination. Psychol Serv 2023; 20:483-495. [PMID: 36326662 PMCID: PMC10154431 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Premature dropout from posttraumatic stress disorder treatment (PTSD) hinders treatment response. Studies have primarily used quantitative methodology to identify factors that contribute to Veterans' premature dropout, which has yielded mixed results. Qualitative methods provide rich data and generate additional hypotheses about why Veterans discontinue PTSD treatment. This study aimed to understand Veterans' reasons for dropping out of prolonged exposure therapy (PE) and to examine if there are differences in reasons for dropout between three delivery modalities: in-home, in-person (IHIP), office-based telehealth (OBT), or home-based telehealth (HBT). Twenty-two Veterans who dropped out of PE from a parent randomized clinical trial participated in individual qualitative interviews about potential contextual and individual factors related to discontinuation. Team-based coding was used to conduct open and focused coding. Themes were generated that described factors that influenced Veterans' dropout from PE and constant comparison was used to explore differences in reasons between the three modalities. Most Veterans had multiple reasons for dropping out and reasons were similar across delivery modalities with few differences. Practical barriers (e.g., scheduling difficulties), attitudes toward mental health providers and therapy (e.g., stigma), psychological and physical health factors (e.g., perceived worsening of symptoms, pain), and the therapeutic context (e.g., disliking aspects of PE) contributed to Veterans' decisions to drop out from PE. Veterans in OBT reported more types of practical barriers than Veterans in HBT and IHIP. These findings can help generate hypotheses about interventions that may promote engagement and future studies should continue to study how to reduce dropout. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samantha Hurst
- Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, University of California, San Diego
| | - George L Jackson
- Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation
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14
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Marchand WR. Potential Mechanisms of Action and Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans with a History of Trauma: A Narrative Review of the Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6377. [PMID: 37510609 PMCID: PMC10379349 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Equine-assisted services (EASs) are being increasingly used as complementary interventions for military veterans who have experienced trauma. However, there is limited evidence of benefit for this population and almost no literature describing the desired potential outcomes and possible mechanisms of action. The aim of this article is to address these gaps by reviewing the extant literature of animal-assisted interventions in general, and equine-assisted services in particular, with the goal of providing guidance for future investigations in the field. Currently, the field is in the early stage of scientific development, but published results are promising. Interventions that enhance treatment compliance and/or outcomes could benefit this population. Preliminary results, reviewed herein, indicate that EAS interventions might benefit the military veteran population by enhancing treatment engagement and therapeutic alliance, as well as by contributing to symptom reduction and resulting in various transdiagnostic benefits. It is recommended that future studies include exploration of potential beneficial outcomes discussed herein, as well as investigate suggested mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Marchand
- VISN 19 Whole Health Flagship Site, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 501 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, 4815 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
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15
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Lyons JS, Fernando AD. Creating the necessary infrastructure for a trauma-informed system of care for children and youth. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1129197. [PMID: 37496789 PMCID: PMC10366599 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1129197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding and addressing the impact of adverse life events is an important priority in the design of helping systems. However, creating trauma-informed systems requires efforts to embed effective trauma-informed work in routine practice. This article discusses a model for developing trauma-informed systems using the Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) framework, a strategy for engineering person-centered care. Person-centered care is naturally congruent with trauma-informed care. We describe the initial stages of implementation of a trauma-informed standardized assessment process to support the sustained evolution of trauma-informed care. Distinguishing between traumatic experiences and traumatic stress is fundamental to an effective trauma-informed system. We describe two sets of analyses-one in a statewide child welfare system and the other in a statewide behavioral health system. These projects found opportunities in the analysis of the detection of traumatic stress based on traumatic experiences to inform practice and policy. Being trauma-informed in child welfare is distinct from being trauma-informed in behavioral health. In child welfare, it appears that a number of children are resilient in the face of traumatic experiences and do not require trauma treatment interventions. However, delayed and missed traumatic stress responses are common. In behavioral health, misses often occur among adolescents, particularly boys, who engage in acting out behavior. Opportunities for the ongoing development of trauma-informed systems using the TCOM framework are discussed.
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16
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Hinojosa CA, VanElzakker MB, Kaur N, Felicione JM, Charney ME, Bui E, Marques L, Summergrad P, Rauch SL, Simon NM, Shin LM. Pre-treatment amygdala activation and habituation predict symptom change in post-traumatic stress disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1198244. [PMID: 37492481 PMCID: PMC10363634 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1198244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Trauma-focused psychotherapy approaches are the first-line treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, up to a third of patients remain symptomatic even after completion of the treatment. Predicting which patients will respond to a given treatment option would support personalized treatments and improve the efficiency of healthcare systems. Although previous neuroimaging studies have examined possible pre-treatment predictors of response to treatment, the findings have been somewhat inconsistent, and no other study has examined habituation to stimuli as a predictor. In this study, 16 treatment-seeking adults (MAge = 43.63, n = 10 women) with a primary diagnosis of PTSD passively viewed pictures of emotional facial expressions during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). After scanning, participants rated facial expressions on both valence and arousal. Participants then completed eight weekly sessions of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy. PTSD symptom severity was measured before and after treatment. Overall, participants showed symptomatic improvement with PE. Consistent with hypotheses, lesser activation in the amygdala and greater activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex during the presentation of fearful vs. happy facial expressions, as well as a greater decline in amygdala activation across blocks of fearful facial expressions at baseline, were associated with greater reduction of PTSD symptoms. Given that the repeated presentation of emotional material underlies PE, changes in brain responses with repeated stimulus presentations warrant further studies as potential predictors of response to exposure therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia A. Hinojosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael B. VanElzakker
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Navneet Kaur
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Julia M. Felicione
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Meredith E. Charney
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eric Bui
- Normandie Univ, University of Caen Normandy (UNICAEN), L'Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders”, NEUROPRESAGE Team, (Institut Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie), GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Caen Normandie, Caen, France
| | - Luana Marques
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Paul Summergrad
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Scott L. Rauch
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Naomi M. Simon
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lisa M. Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
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17
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Kimerling R, Zulman DM, Lewis ET, Schalet BD, Reise SP, Tamayo GC. Clinical Validity of the PROMIS Healthcare Engagement 8-Item Short Form. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:2021-2029. [PMID: 37118561 PMCID: PMC10361929 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07992-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare engagement is a key measurement target for value-based healthcare, but a reliable and valid patient-reported measure has not yet been widely adopted. OBJECTIVE To assess the validity of a newly developed patient-reported measure of healthcare engagement, the 8-item PROMIS Healthcare Engagement (PHE-8a). DESIGN Prospective cohort study of the association between healthcare engagement and quality of care over 1 year. We fit mixed effects models of quality indicators as a function of engagement scores, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, rural residence, and risk scores. PARTICIPANTS National stratified random sample of 9552 Veterans receiving Veterans Health Administration care for chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes) or mental health conditions (depression, post-traumatic stress disorder). MAIN MEASURES Patient experience: Consumer Assessment of Health Plans and Systems communication and self-management support composites; no-show rates for primary care and mental health appointments; use of patient portal My HealtheVet; and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set electronic quality measures: HbA1c poor control, controlling high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia therapy adherence. KEY RESULTS Higher engagement scores were associated with better healthcare quality across all outcomes, with each 5-point increase (1/2 standard deviation) in engagement scores associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful gains in quality. Across the continuum of low to high engagement scores, we observed a concomitant reduction in primary care no-show rates of 37% and 24% for mental health clinics; an increased likelihood of My HealtheVet use of 15.4%; and a decreased likelihood of poor diabetes control of 44%. CONCLUSIONS The PHE-8a is a brief, reliable, and valid patient-reported measure of healthcare engagement. These results confirm previously untested hypotheses that patient engagement can promote healthcare quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kimerling
- National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
| | - Donna M Zulman
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eleanor T Lewis
- Program Evaluation and Resource Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Benjamin D Schalet
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Steven P Reise
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gisselle C Tamayo
- National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
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18
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Alon Y, Azriel O, Pine DS, Bar-Haim Y. A randomized controlled trial of supervised remotely-delivered attention bias modification for posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychol Med 2023; 53:3601-3610. [PMID: 35132952 PMCID: PMC10248784 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172200023x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have limited access to first-line treatments, warranting the development of remotely-delivered treatments. Attention bias modification (ABM), targeting perturbed threat-related attentional patterns, shows promise when delivered in-person. However, previous studies found ABM to be ineffective when delivered remotely. Randomized clinical trials usually applied two variations of ABM: ABM away from threat or attention control training (ACT) balancing attention between threat-related and neutral stimuli. We tested remotely-delivered ACT/ABM with tighter supervision and video-based interactions that resemble in-clinic protocols. We expected to replicate the results of in-clinic trials, in which ACT outperformed ABM for PTSD. METHODS In this double-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 60 patients diagnosed with PTSD were randomized (ABM n = 30; ACT n = 30). Patients performed eight bi-weekly remotely-delivered supervised ABM/ACT sessions. Symptoms were assessed pre- and post-treatment with Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale 5 (CAPS-5) severity score and PTSD diagnosis as the primary outcomes. Current depressive episode, current anxiety-related comorbidity, and time elapsed since the trauma were examined as potential moderators of treatment outcome. RESULTS Significant decrease in CAPS-5 severity scores and PTSD diagnosis was observed following both ACT and ABM with no between-group difference. Patients without depression or whose trauma occurred more recently had greater symptom reduction in the ACT than the ABM group. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to our expectation, symptoms decreased similarly following ACT and ABM. Moderator analyses suggest advantage for ACT in non-depressed patients and patients whose trauma occurred more recently. Further refinements in remotely-delivered ABM/ACT may be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaron Alon
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Omer Azriel
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Daniel S. Pine
- Section on Developmental Affective Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yair Bar-Haim
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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19
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Shepherd-Banigan M, Shapiro A, Stechuchak KM, Sheahan KL, Ackland PE, Smith VA, Bokhour BG, Glynn SM, Calhoun PS, Edelman D, Weidenbacher HJ, Eldridge MR, Van Houtven CH. Exploring the importance of predisposing, enabling, and need factors for promoting Veteran engagement in mental health therapy for post-traumatic stress: a multiple methods study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:372. [PMID: 37237261 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04840-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study explored Veteran and family member perspectives on factors that drive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy engagement within constructs of the Andersen model of behavioral health service utilization. Despite efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase mental health care access, the proportion of Veterans with PTSD who engage in PTSD therapy remains low. Support for therapy from family members and friends could improve Veteran therapy use. METHODS We applied a multiple methods approach using data from VA administrative data and semi-structured individual interviews with Veterans and their support partners who applied to the VA Caregiver Support Program. We integrated findings from a machine learning analysis of quantitative data with findings from a qualitative analysis of the semi-structured interviews. RESULTS In quantitative models, Veteran medical need for health care use most influenced treatment initiation and retention. However, qualitative data suggested mental health symptoms combined with positive Veteran and support partner treatment attitudes motivated treatment engagement. Veterans indicated their motivation to seek treatment increased when family members perceived treatment to be of high value. Veterans who experienced poor continuity of VA care, group, and virtual treatment modalities expressed less care satisfaction. Prior marital therapy use emerged as a potentially new facilitator of PTSD treatment engagement that warrants more exploration. CONCLUSIONS Our multiple methods findings represent Veteran and support partner perspectives and show that amid Veteran and organizational barriers to care, attitudes and support of family members and friends still matter. Family-oriented services and intervention could be a gateway to increase Veteran PTSD therapy engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Shepherd-Banigan
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Box 90120, 100 Fuqua Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Abigail Shapiro
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.
| | | | - Kate L Sheahan
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Princess E Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Valerie A Smith
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 200 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Barbara G Bokhour
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Road (152), Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, The Albert Sherman Center, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Shirley M Glynn
- UCLA Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System at West Los Angeles, B151 11301 Whiltshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
| | - Patrick S Calhoun
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 905 West Main Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - David Edelman
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 200 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | | | | | - Courtney H Van Houtven
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Box 90120, 100 Fuqua Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
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20
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Sippel LM, Gross GM, Spiller TR, Duek O, Smith N, Hoff R, Harpaz-Rotem I. Comparative effectiveness of evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD delivered in VA residential PTSD treatment. Psychol Med 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36971021 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are first-line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There have been few direct comparisons of CPT and PE intended to determine their comparative effectiveness, none of which have examined outcomes among military veterans receiving these treatments in a residential setting such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) residential rehabilitation treatment programs (RRTPs). Such work is essential given that these veterans are among the most complex and severely symptomatic patients with PTSD treated in VA. In this study we compared changes in PTSD and depressive symptoms across admission, discharge, four months and 12 months following discharge among veterans who received CPT or PE within VA RRTPs. METHODS Using linear mixed models conducted on program evaluation data derived from the electronic medical record and follow-up surveys, we compared self-reported PTSD and depressive symptom outcomes among 1130 veterans with PTSD who were treated with individual CPT (n = 832, 73.5%) or PE (n = 297, 26.5%) in VA PTSD RRTPs in fiscal years 2018-2020. RESULTS PTSD and depressive symptom severity did not significantly differ at any time points. The CPT and PE groups both showed large-sized reductions in PTSD (CPT d = 1.41, PE d = 1.51) and depression (CPT d = 1.01, PE d = 1.09) from baseline to 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes for PE and CPT do not differ among a highly complex population of veterans with severe PTSD and several comorbid conditions that can make it difficult to engage in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Sippel
- Northeast Program Evaluation Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Evaluation Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Georgina M Gross
- Northeast Program Evaluation Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Evaluation Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Tobias R Spiller
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Or Duek
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Community Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Noelle Smith
- Northeast Program Evaluation Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Rani Hoff
- Northeast Program Evaluation Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Evaluation Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
- Northeast Program Evaluation Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Evaluation Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Psychology and the Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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21
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Maguen S, Madden E, Holder N, Li Y, Seal KH, Neylan TC, Lujan C, Patterson OV, DuVall SL, Shiner B. Effectiveness and comparative effectiveness of evidence-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder in clinical practice. Psychol Med 2023; 53:419-428. [PMID: 34001290 PMCID: PMC9899565 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721001628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a first-line treatment, its real-world effectiveness is unknown. We compared cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) each to an individual psychotherapy comparator group, and CPT to PE in a large national healthcare system. METHODS We utilized effectiveness and comparative effectiveness emulated trials using retrospective cohort data from electronic medical records. Participants were veterans with PTSD initiating mental healthcare (N = 265 566). The primary outcome was PTSD symptoms measured by the PTSD Checklist (PCL) at baseline and 24-week follow-up. Emulated trials were comprised of 'person-trials,' representing 112 discrete 24-week periods of care (10/07-6/17) for each patient. Treatment group comparisons were made with generalized linear models, utilizing propensity score matching and inverse probability weights to account for confounding, selection, and non-adherence bias. RESULTS There were 636 CPT person-trials matched to 636 non-EBP person-trials. Completing ⩾8 CPT sessions was associated with a 6.4-point greater improvement on the PCL (95% CI 3.1-10.0). There were 272 PE person-trials matched to 272 non-EBP person-trials. Completing ⩾8 PE sessions was associated with a 9.7-point greater improvement on the PCL (95% CI 5.4-13.8). There were 232 PE person-trials matched to 232 CPT person-trials. Those completing ⩾8 PE sessions had slightly greater, but not statistically significant, improvement on the PCL (8.3-points; 95% CI 5.9-10.6) than those completing ⩾8 CPT sessions (7.0-points; 95% CI 5.5-8.5). CONCLUSIONS PTSD symptom improvement was similar and modest for both EBPs. Although EBPs are helpful, research to further improve PTSD care is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Maguen
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Erin Madden
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Nicholas Holder
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Yongmei Li
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Karen H. Seal
- Integrative Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Thomas C. Neylan
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Callan Lujan
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Olga V. Patterson
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Scott L. DuVall
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Brian Shiner
- Mental Health Service, White River Junction VA Medical Center, and National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Executive Division, White River Junction, VT
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH
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22
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Initiating Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in Community Settings: A Qualitative Investigation of Therapist Decision-Making. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2023; 50:137-150. [PMID: 36370226 PMCID: PMC9832073 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-022-01229-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Various organizations have provided treatment guidelines intended to aid therapists in deciding how to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for PTSD in the community may be difficult to obtain. Although strides have been made to implement EBPs for PTSD in institutional settings such as the United States Veterans Affairs, community uptake remains low. Factors surrounding clients' decisions to enroll in EBPs have been identified in some settings; however less is known regarding trained therapists' decisions related to offering trauma-focused therapies or alternative treatment options. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine therapist motivations to initiate CPT in community settings. The present study utilizes data from a larger investigation aiming to support the sustained implementation of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in community mental health treatment settings. Enrolled therapists participated in phone interviews discussing their opinions of CPT, preferred treatments for PTSD, and process in assessing appropriate PTSD treatments for clients. Semi-structured interviews (N = 29) were transcribed and analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Several themes emerged regarding therapists' decision-making in selecting PTSD treatments. Therapist motivations to use EBPs for PTSD, primarily CPT, were identified at the client (e.g., perceived compatibility with client-level characteristics), therapist (e.g., time limitations), and clinic levels (e.g., leadership support). The results provide insight into the complex array of factors that affect sustainability of EBPs for PTSD in community settings and inform future dissemination of EBPs, including training efforts in community settings.
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23
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Ragnhildstveit A, Roscoe J, Bass LC, Averill CL, Abdallah CG, Averill LA. The potential of ketamine for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of clinical evidence. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2023; 13:20451253231154125. [PMID: 36895431 PMCID: PMC9989422 DOI: 10.1177/20451253231154125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating condition, for which there are few pharmacological agents, often with a delayed onset of action and poor efficacy. Trauma-focused psychotherapies are further limited by few trained providers and low patient engagement. This frequently results in disease chronicity as well as psychiatric and medical comorbidity, with considerable negative impact on quality of life. As such, off-label interventions are commonly used for PTSD, particularly in chronic refractory cases. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptor antagonist, has recently been indicated for major depression, exhibiting rapid and robust antidepressant effects. It also shows transdiagnostic potential for an array of psychiatric disorders. Here, we synthesize clinical evidence on ketamine in PTSD, spanning case reports, chart reviews, open-label studies, and randomized trials. Overall, there is high heterogeneity in clinical presentation and pharmacological approach, yet encouraging signals of therapeutic safety, efficacy, and durability. Avenues for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya Ragnhildstveit
- Integrated Research Literacy Group, Draper, UT, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jeremy Roscoe
- Integrated Research Literacy Group, Draper, UT, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lisa C Bass
- Integrated Research Literacy Group, Draper, UT, USA.,Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher L Averill
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,National Center for PTSD, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chadi G Abdallah
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,National Center for PTSD, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lynnette A Averill
- Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Avenue, 4-E-187, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,National Center for PTSD, West Haven, CT, USA
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24
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Brown WJ, Saulnier KG, Allan NP, Wojtalik JA, Zampogna AM, Grubaugh AL. Dropout from prolonged exposure among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid severe mental illness. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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25
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Shepherd-Banigan M, Wells SY, Falkovic M, Ackland PE, Swinkels C, Dedert E, Ruffin R, Van Houtven CH, Calhoun PS, Edelman D, Weidenbacher HJ, Shapiro A, Glynn S. Adapting a family-involved intervention to increase initiation and completion of evidenced-based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. SSM - MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 2:100114. [PMID: 35979411 PMCID: PMC9376943 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2022.100114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is disabling condition among United States Veterans. Training programs for evidenced-based therapies have been rolled out nationally in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), but provider adoption of these treatments is limited and rates of Veteran dropout are high. Increasing support for mental health therapy within the Veteran's social network would improve treatment engagement. We discuss the adaptation of Recovery-Oriented Decisions for Relatives' Support (REORDER)-a family-based intervention for individuals with serious mental illness- to create Family Support in Mental Health Recovery (FAMILIAR), an intervention that seeks to strengthen support partners' abilities to help Veterans engage in therapy. Our goal was to apply modifications to meet the needs of Veterans with PTSD and their support partners. We used input from Veterans, support partners, clinicians and VA system leaders to inform the modifications. Then, a multi-disciplinary intervention development team met to determine which modifications would be applied and how. We used the domains from the Framework for Adaptations and Modification (FRAME) to systematically track and describe modifications. Adaptations made to REORDER included changes in content, structure, and delivery format. The resulting intervention, FAMILIAR, was a 3-4 session intervention beginning prior to EBP initiation and continuing through sessions 3, 4 or 5 of the EBP. Sessions were designed for maximum flexibility and could be offered either in-person or virtually, and sessions involve interactions between the interventionist with the Veteran and support partner alone and together. We learned the importance of including diverse stakeholder perspectives to develop a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the target population and the health system. While feasibility and effectiveness testing is needed, we applied a proactive adaptation approach that we anticipate will make FAMILIAR successful in addressing patient, clinical, and system considerations of a family approach to increase Veteran engagement in PTSD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Shepherd-Banigan
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Duke University, Department of Population Health Sciences, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120 Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | | | - Margaret Falkovic
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Duke University, Department of Population Health Sciences, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Princess E. Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Cindy Swinkels
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Eric Dedert
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 905 West Main Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Rachel Ruffin
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Courtney H. Van Houtven
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Duke University, Department of Population Health Sciences, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120 Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Patrick S. Calhoun
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 905 West Main Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - David Edelman
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 200 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | | | - Abigail Shapiro
- Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Shirley Glynn
- Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Greater LA VA Health Care System/UCLA, B151 11301 Whiltshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90073 USA
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26
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Grau PP, Bohnert KM, Ganoczy D, Sripada RK. Who improves in trauma-focused treatment: A cluster analysis of treatment response in VA patients undergoing PE and CPT. J Affect Disord 2022; 318:159-166. [PMID: 36070830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although most veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) benefit from evidence-based treatments, questions persist concerning the profiles of those at risk for poor outcomes. To help address these gaps, this study analyzed a large clinical cohort of veterans receiving prolonged exposure (PE) or cognitive processing therapy (CPT). METHODS Cluster analysis using Ward's method with Euclidian distances identified clinically meaningful subgroups of veterans in a national cohort (n = 20,848) using variables maintained in the electronic medical record. The clusters were then compared via one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's HSD on indicators of treatment progress including PTSD symptom change, clinical recovery, clinically significant change, remission, and treatment completion. RESULTS Effect size differences on clinical outcome measures for PE and CPT were negligible. Less than half of veterans achieved at least a 15-point reduction in PCL-5 score and half completed treatment. We identified 10 distinct clusters. Higher rates of PTSD service-connected disability were linked to poorer outcomes across multiple clusters, especially when combined with Post-Vietnam service era. Non-White race was also linked with poorer clinical outcomes. Factors associated with better outcomes included a greater proportion of female veterans, especially when combined with recent service era, and longer PTSD diagnosis duration. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests the need to improve PTSD treatment outcomes for non-White and male veterans, examine treatment response in Post-Vietnam era veterans, and consider ways in which the service connection process could hinder treatment response. The results from this study also indicate the benefits of integrating elements of clinical complexity into an analytic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Grau
- VA Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center (SMITREC), 2800 Plymouth Road, Bldg 16, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, United States.
| | - Kipling M Bohnert
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, United States
| | - Dara Ganoczy
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Health Services Research and Development, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Rebecca K Sripada
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, United States; Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Health Services Research and Development, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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27
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Hargrave AS, Sumner JA, Ebrahimi R, Cohen BE. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease: Implications for Future Research and Clinical Care. Curr Cardiol Rep 2022; 24:2067-2079. [PMID: 36306020 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-022-01809-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We explore the literature linking PTSD to CVD, potential mechanisms, interventions, and clinical implications. We outline gaps in current literature and highlight necessary future research. RECENT FINDINGS PTSD has been independently associated with deleterious effects on cardiovascular health through biological, behavioral, and societal pathways. There are evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions and pharmacotherapies for PTSD that may mitigate its impact on CVD. However, there are limited studies that rigorously analyze the impact of treating PTSD on cardiovascular outcomes. Trauma-informed CVD risk stratification, education, and treatment offer opportunities to improve patient care. These approaches can include a brief validated screening tool for PTSD identification and treatment. Pragmatic trials are needed to test PTSD interventions among people with CVD and evaluate for improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita S Hargrave
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA. .,Medical Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA.
| | - Jennifer A Sumner
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Ramin Ebrahimi
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology Section, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Beth E Cohen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.,Medical Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
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28
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Haven SE, Brown WJ, Berfield JB, Bruce SE. Predictors of Attrition and Response in Cognitive Processing Therapy for Interpersonal Trauma Survivors with PTSD. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP19759-NP19780. [PMID: 34498510 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211043584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
With the establishment of empirically validated treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), concerns remain regarding the effectiveness of such treatments in real-world clinical settings. Specifically, premature termination and treatment response limit the effectiveness of these interventions. The current study investigated factors potentially related to premature termination and treatment response in Cognitive Processing Therapy with Account (CPT-A). Participants in this study included 42 women (Mage = 30.70 SDage = 9.40) with PTSD from exposure to interpersonal trauma. Demographic characteristics, pre-treatment symptoms of PTSD and depression, and transdiagnostic factors were examined as predictors of attrition and treatment response. Hierarchical regression and logistic regression models were analyzed to test the variance explained and predictive value of these factors. The present study revealed that age was a significant factor related to dropout from CPT-A whereas baseline PTSD symptom severity was significantly related to treatment response. Results of this study suggest the importance of the interrelationships among pre-treatment predictors as well as the consideration of attrition and treatment response as distinct metrics of treatment outcome. Further, these results inform the application of CPT-A for PTSD in survivors of interpersonal trauma, as consideration of the identified predictors of dropout and non-response at intake may contribute to treatment retention and response.
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29
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Severe J, Pfeiffer PN, Palm-Cruz K, Hoeft T, Sripada R, Hawrilenko M, Chen S, Fortney J. Clinical Predictors of Engagement in Teleintegrated Care and Telereferral Care for Complex Psychiatric Disorders in Primary Care: a Randomized Trial. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3361-3367. [PMID: 35106719 PMCID: PMC9550945 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07343-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telepsychiatry Collaborative Care (TCC) and Telepsychiatry/Telepsychology Enhanced Referral (TER) expand the reach of specialty mental health services to underserved populations. OBJECTIVE Assess clinical predictors of treatment engagement for complex psychiatric conditions in TCC-in which remote specialists consult with primary care teams via an onsite care manager who also provides brief psychotherapy-and TER, in which remote specialists provide direct telehealth treatment. DESIGN A randomized pragmatic trial from twenty-four primary care clinics without onsite psychiatrists or psychologists. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1,004 adult patients screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)and/or bipolar disorder were randomized to receive TCC or TER for 1 year. MAIN MEASURES Psychotherapy engagement was measured by the number of sessions completed, and pharmacotherapy engagement by the medication adherence item from the Schizophrenia Care and Assessment Program Health Questionnaire (SCAP-HQ). KEY RESULTS Engagement in TCC psychotherapy visits was greater compared to TER. There was no association between the PTSD symptom severity and treatment engagement. The internal state scale (ISS) activation subscale, an indicator of mania, was associated with reduced odds of initiating psychotherapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.84) but not the number of sessions attended once psychotherapy started. The Drug Abuse Screening Test-10(DAST-10) score was associated with receipt of fewer psychotherapy sessions (incidence ratio rate [IRR] = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.95). The number of physical health comorbidities was associated with greater engagement in psychotherapy (IRR = 1.11, 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.19) and pharmacotherapy (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.87). None of the findings varied by intervention group. CONCLUSIONS Both teleintegrated and telereferral care offer an opportunity to treat patients with complex psychiatric conditions. While there was no difference in clinical characteristics predicting engagement, onsite care managers engaged patients in more psychotherapy sessions than remote therapists. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02738944.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Severe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Paul N Pfeiffer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Katherine Palm-Cruz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Theresa Hoeft
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rebecca Sripada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Matthew Hawrilenko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John Fortney
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development, Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Seattle, WA, USA
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30
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Moshier SJ, Harper K, Keane TM, Marx BP. Using electronic medical record diagnostic codes to identify veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:1445-1459. [PMID: 35514012 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Researchers studying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often use diagnostic codes within electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify individuals with the disorder. This study evaluated the performance of algorithms for defining PTSD based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code use within EMR data. We used data from a registry of U.S. veterans for whom both structured interview data and Veterans Health Administration EMR data were available. Using interview-diagnosed PTSD as the reference criterion, we calculated diagnostic accuracy statistics for algorithms that required the presence of at least one and up to seven encounters in which a PTSD diagnosis was present in EMR data within any clinical source, mental health clinic, or specialty PTSD clinic. We evaluated algorithm accuracy in the total sample (N = 1,343; 64.1% with PTSD), within a subsample constrained to lower PTSD prevalence (n = 712; 32.3% with PTSD), and as a function of demographic characteristics. Algorithm accuracy was influenced by PTSD prevalence. Results indicated that higher thresholds for the operationalization of PTSD may be justified among samples in which PTSD prevalence is lower. Requiring three PTSD diagnoses from a mental health clinic or four diagnoses from any clinical source may be a suitable minimum standard for identifying individuals with PTSD in EMRs; however, accuracy may be optimized by requiring additional diagnoses. The performance of many algorithms differed as a function of educational attainment and age, suggesting that samples of individuals with PTSD developed based on EMR ICD codes may skew toward including older, less-educated veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Moshier
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Emmanuel College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelly Harper
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terence M Keane
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian P Marx
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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31
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LoSavio ST, Holder N, Wells SY, Resick PA. Clinician Concerns About Cognitive Processing Therapy: A Review of the Evidence. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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32
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Grau PP, Valentine LM, Vuper TC, Rogers TA, Wong JD, Sexton MB. Military sexual trauma in context: Ethnoracial differences in ecological resources among treatment-seeking veterans. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:1535-1545. [PMID: 35819929 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) are at increased risk for a host of negative outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders, and substance use disorders. Previous studies have shown racial differences in MST exposure, namely that Black veterans experience MST more frequently than White veterans. One way to help clinicians and researchers understand the impact of these ethnoracial differences in MST exposure is through an applied theory of ecological resources, which has demonstrated ecological factors (e.g., aspects of identity, beliefs, and environmental stressors) contribute to veteran well-being in the aftermath of MST. The present study aimed to examine ethnoracial differences in ecological resources (i.e., available social support, spiritual coping, past-year interpersonal violence, financial sufficiency, and stable living environment). Participants (N = 505) were U.S. veterans who sought care at a Veterans Healthcare Administration clinic in the midwestern United States for mental health issues related to MST. Results demonstrated Black veterans were more likely than White veterans to report being financially insecure, U = 18,091.50, z = -2.04, p = .042, r = .10. Black veterans were also more likely to report spiritual beliefs that assisted with coping, Cramer's V = .19, but less likely to report having a social support system, Cramer's V = .16. These findings highlight the importance of assessing and addressing disparities illuminated by ethnoracial differences in ecological resources and barriers in veterans seeking care for MST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Grau
- VA Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center (SMITREC), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lisa M Valentine
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tessa C Vuper
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Travis A Rogers
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jennifer D Wong
- New Mexico Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Minden B Sexton
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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33
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Improvement in Veterans' Openness to Seeking Professional Psychological Help After Participating in Therapeutic Adventure Trips. ECOPSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1089/eco.2022.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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34
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Galovski TE, Street AE, Creech S, Lehavot K, Kelly UA, Yano EM. State of the Knowledge of VA Military Sexual Trauma Research. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:825-832. [PMID: 36042078 PMCID: PMC9481813 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07580-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite substantial efforts to counter sexual assault and harassment in the military, both remain persistent in the Armed Services. In February 2021, President Biden directed the U.S. Department of Defense to establish a 90-day Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC) to assess the department's efforts and make actionable recommendations. As servicemembers discharge from the military, effects of military sexual trauma (MST) are often seen in the Veterans Health Administration (VA). In response to an IRC inquiry about VA MST research, we organized an overview on prevalence, adverse consequences, and evidence-based treatments targeting the sequelae of MST. Women are significantly more likely to experience MST than their male counterparts. Other groups with low societal and institutional power (e.g., lower rank) are also at increased risk. Although not all MST survivors experience long-term adverse consequences, for many, they can be significant, chronic, and enduring and span mental and physical health outcomes, as well as cumulative impairments in functioning. Adverse consequences of MST come with commonalities shared with sexual trauma in other settings (e.g., interpersonal betrayal, victim-blaming) as well as unique aspects of the military context, where experiences of interpersonal betrayal may be compounded by perceptions of institutional betrayal (e.g., fear of reprisal or ostracism, having to work/live alongside a perpetrator). MST's most common mental health impact is posttraumatic stress disorder, which rarely occurs in isolation, and may coincide with major depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and increased suicidality. Physical health impacts include greater chronic disease burden (e.g., hypertension), and impaired reproductive health and sexual functioning. Advances in treatment include evidence-based psychotherapies and novel approaches relying on mind-body interventions and peer support. Nonetheless, much work is needed to enhance detection, access, care, and support or even the best interventions will not be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara E Galovski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Street, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Amy E Street
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Street, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suzannah Creech
- VA VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Central Texas VA, Waco, TX, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Keren Lehavot
- VA HSR&D Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ursula A Kelly
- Atlanta VA Health Care System, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Yano
- VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Health Policy & Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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35
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Lopez CM, Gilmore AK, Brown WJ, Hahn CK, Muzzy W, Grubaugh A, Acierno R. Effects of Emotion Dysregulation on Post-treatment Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Symptoms Among Women Veterans With Military Sexual Trauma. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP13143-NP13161. [PMID: 33775153 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211005134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Military sexual trauma (MST), defined as sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment while in the military, is associated with increased risk of long-term mental and physical health problems, with the most common being symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In addition to PTSD and depression, MST is linked to difficulties in emotion regulation as well as poor treatment engagement. Thus, it is important to examine these correlates, and how they affect postintervention symptom reduction in this vulnerable population. The current study presents secondary data analyses from a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of in-person versus telemedicine delivery of prolonged exposure therapy for female veterans with MST-related PTSD (n = 151). Results of the study found that changes in difficulties with emotion regulation predicted postintervention depressive symptoms but not postintervention PTSD symptoms. Neither postintervention depressive nor PTSD symptoms were affected by treatment dosing (i.e., number of sessions attended) nor treatment condition (i.e., in-person vs. telemedicine). Findings from the current study provide preliminary evidence that decreases in difficulties with emotion regulation during PTSD treatment are associated with decreases in depressive symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wendy Muzzy
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Anouk Grubaugh
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Ron Acierno
- University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, TX, USA
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36
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Fortney JC, Rajan S, Reisinger HS, Moeckli J, Nolan JP, Wong ES, Rise P, Petrova VV, Sayre GG, Pyne JM, Grubaugh A, Simsek-Duran F, Grubbs KM, Morland LA, Felker B, Schnurr PP. Deploying a telemedicine collaborative care intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: A stepped wedge evaluation of an adaptive implementation strategy. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2022; 77:109-117. [PMID: 35596963 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To address barriers to trauma-focused psychotherapy for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we compared two implementation strategies to promote the deployment of telemedicine collaborative care. METHOD We conducted a Hybrid Type III Effectiveness Implementation trial at six VA medical centers and their 12 affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The trial used a stepped wedge design and an adaptive implementation strategy that started with standard implementation, followed by enhanced implementation for VA medical centers that did not achieve the performance benchmark. Implementation outcomes for the 544 veterans sampled from the larger population targeted by the intervention were assessed from chart review (care management enrollment and receipt of trauma-focused psychotherapy) and telephone survey (perceived access and PTSD symptoms) after each implementation phase. The primary outcome was enrollment in care management. RESULTS There was no significant difference between standard implementation and enhanced implementation on any of the implementation outcomes. 41.6% of sampled veterans had a care manager encounter, but only 6.0% engaged in trauma-focused psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS While telemedicine collaborative care was shown to be effective at engaging veterans in trauma-focused psychotherapy in a randomized controlled trial, neither standard nor enhanced implementation strategies were sufficient to support successful deployment into routine care. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02737098.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Fortney
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
| | - Suparna Rajan
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Heather S Reisinger
- VA HSR&D Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, IA, United States of America; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Jane Moeckli
- VA HSR&D Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, IA, United States of America
| | | | - Edwin S Wong
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Department of Health and Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Peter Rise
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Valentina V Petrova
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - George G Sayre
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey M Pyne
- VA HSR&D Center for Mental Health and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Anouk Grubaugh
- VA HSR&D Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center, Charleston, SC, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Fatma Simsek-Duran
- Iowa City VA Health Care System, IA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Kathleen M Grubbs
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Leslie A Morland
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Bradford Felker
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, United States of America; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States of America
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37
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Kehle-Forbes SM, Ackland PE, Spoont MR, Meis LA, Orazem RJ, Lyon A, Valenstein-Mah HR, Schnurr PP, Zickmund SL, Foa EB, Chard KM, Alpert E, Polusny MA. Divergent experiences of U.S. veterans who did and did not complete trauma-focused therapies for PTSD: A national qualitative study of treatment dropout. Behav Res Ther 2022; 154:104123. [PMID: 35644083 PMCID: PMC9873271 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are first-line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have been disseminated throughout the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Treatment non-completion is common and lessens clinical effectiveness; however, prior work has failed to identify factors consistently associated with non-completion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a national sample of veterans who recently completed (n = 60) or did not complete (n = 66) PE or CPT. Non-completer interviews focused on factors that contributed to veterans' decisions to drop out and efforts undertaken to complete PE/CPT. Completer interviews focused on challenges faced in completing treatment and facilitators of completion. Transcripts were coded using a mixed deductive/inductive approach; constant comparison was used to identify differences between completers and non-completers. Completers and non-completers differed in the extent of treatment-specific therapist support received, therapists' flexibility in treatment delivery, the type of encouragement offered by the care team and social supports, their interpretation of symptom worsening, the perceived impact of treatment on functioning, and the impact of stressors on their treatment engagement. Treatment-specific therapist support, more patient-centered and flexible treatment delivery, leveraging the full care team, and addressing functional concerns are potential targets for PE and CPT engagement interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Kehle-Forbes
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston, National Center for PTSD, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA,Corresponding author. Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA. (S.M. Kehle-Forbes)
| | - Princess E. Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Michele R. Spoont
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA,National Center for PTSD, Pacific Islands Division, 459 Patterson Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96819, USA
| | - Laura A. Meis
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Robert J. Orazem
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Alexandra Lyon
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Helen R. Valenstein-Mah
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, Department of Veterans Affairs, 163 Veterans Dr, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Rd, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Susan L. Zickmund
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement & Analytic Sciences Center, Salt Lake City VA, 500 S Foothill Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Edna B. Foa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 6th Gateway, 3535 Market St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Chard
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, 3200 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
| | - Elizabeth Alpert
- Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston, National Center for PTSD, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Melissa A. Polusny
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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38
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Bernstein JPK, Stumps A, Fortenbaugh F, Fonda JR, McGlinchey RE, Milberg WP, Fortier CB, Esterman M, Amick M, DeGutis J. Associations between changes in somatic and psychiatric symptoms and disability alterations in recent-era U.S. veterans. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:1011-1024. [PMID: 35187726 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cross-sectional work suggests that deployment-related posttraumatic sequelae are associated with increased disability in U.S. veterans deployed following the September 11, 2001 (9/11), terrorist attacks. However, few studies have examined the psychiatric and somatic variables associated with changes in functional disability over time. A total of 237 post-9/11 veterans completed comprehensive assessments of psychiatric and cognitive functioning, as well as a disability questionnaire, at baseline and 2-year follow-up. At baseline, higher levels of PTSD, depressive, and pain-related symptoms were associated with baseline global functional disability, semipartial r2 = .036-.044. Changes in symptoms of PTSD, depression, pain, and sleep, but not anxiety or alcohol use, were independently associated with changes in functional disability, semipartial r2 = .017-.068. Baseline symptoms of these conditions were unrelated to changes in disability, and cognitive performance was unrelated to disability at any assessment point. Together, this suggests that changes in psychiatric and somatic symptoms are tightly linked with changes in functional disability and should be frequently monitored, and even subclinical symptoms may be a target of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P K Bernstein
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Stumps
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
| | - Francesca Fortenbaugh
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer R Fonda
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Regina E McGlinchey
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William P Milberg
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Catherine B Fortier
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Esterman
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa Amick
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph DeGutis
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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39
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Holder N, Batten AJ, Shiner B, Li Y, Madden E, Neylan TC, Seal KH, Patterson OV, DuVall SL, Maguen S. Veterans receiving a second course of cognitive processing therapy or prolonged exposure therapy: is it better to switch or stay the same? Cogn Behav Ther 2022; 51:456-469. [PMID: 35475499 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2022.2058996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure therapy (PE) are effective psychotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, these treatments also have high rates of dropout and non-response. Therefore, patients may need a second course of treatment. We compared outcomes for patients who switched between CPT/PE and those who repeated CPT/PE during a second course of treatment. We collected data from Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans (n = 2,958) who received a second course of CPT/PE in the Veterans Health Administration from 2001 to 2017 and had symptom outcomes (PTSD checklist; PCL). We measured the association between treatment sequence and change in PCL score over the second course of treatment using hierarchical Bayesian regression, adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. All treatment sequences showed a significant reduction in PCL score over time (β = -4.80; HDI95: -5.74, -3.86). Veterans who switched from CPT to PE had modestly greater PCL reductions during the second course than those who repeated CPT. However, no significant difference in PCL change during the second course was observed between veterans who repeated PE and those who switched from PE to CPT. Veterans participating in a second course of CPT/PE can benefit, and switching treatment may be slightly more beneficial following CPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Holder
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Adam J Batten
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA.,Applied Statistics Unit, AB Evergreen Analytics LLC, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Brian Shiner
- Mental Health Service, White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Executive Division Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.,Executive Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
| | - Yongmei Li
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Erin Madden
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Karen H Seal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA.,Integrative Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Departments of Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Olga V Patterson
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, Department of Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Scott L DuVall
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, Department of Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
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40
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Meis LA, Glynn SM, Spoont MR, Kehle-Forbes SM, Nelson D, Isenhart CE, Eftekhari A, Ackland PE, Linden EB, Orazem RJ, Cutting A, Hagel Campbell EM, Astin MC, Porter KE, Smith E, Chuick CD, Lamp KE, Vuper TC, Oakley TA, Khan LB, Keckeisen SK, Polusny MA. Can families help veterans get more from PTSD treatment? A randomized clinical trial examining Prolonged Exposure with and without family involvement. Trials 2022; 23:243. [PMID: 35354481 PMCID: PMC8965544 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06183-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Posttraumatic stress disorder occurs in as many as one in five combat veterans and is associated with a host of negative, long-term consequences to the individual, their families, and society at large. Trauma-focused treatments, such as Prolonged Exposure, result in clinically significant symptom relief for many. Adherence to these treatments (i.e., session attendance and homework compliance) is vital to ensuring recovery but can be challenging for patients. Engaging families in veterans’ treatment could prove to be an effective strategy for promoting treatment adherence while also addressing long-standing calls for better family inclusion in treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. This paper describes the methods of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate if family inclusion in Prolonged Exposure can improve treatment adherence.
Methods
One hundred fifty-six veterans, with clinically significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, will be randomized to receive either standard Prolonged Exposure or Prolonged Exposure enhanced through family inclusion (Family-Supported Prolonged Exposure) across three different VA facilities. Our primary outcomes are session attendance and homework compliance. Secondary outcomes include posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity, depression, quality of life, and relationship functioning. The study includes a concurrent process evaluation to identify potential implementation facilitators and barriers to family involvement in Prolonged Exposure within VA.
Discussion
While the importance of family involvement in posttraumatic stress disorder treatment is non-controversial, there is no evidence base supporting best practices on how to integrate families into PE or any other individually focused trauma-focused treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. This study is an important step in addressing this gap, contributing to the literature for both retention and family involvement in trauma-focused treatments.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.govNCT03256227. Registered on August 21, 2017.
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41
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Stress, PTSD, and COVID-19: the Utility of Disaster Mental Health Interventions During the COVID-19 Pandemic. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN PSYCHIATRY 2022; 9:14-40. [PMID: 35223372 PMCID: PMC8860255 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-021-00253-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of review In the context of an ongoing, highly uncertain pandemic, disaster mental health measures can increase community capacity for resilience and well-being, support formal mental health treatment, and help address the risk for mental health reactions in high-stress occupations. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on disaster mental health interventions that have been helpful both prior to and during the pandemic in a broad range of applications, including for use with high-stress occupations in an effort to mitigate risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health sequelae. Recent findings Evidence-based and evidence-informed disaster mental health interventions, frameworks, and treatments have been studied in pilot studies, non-randomized trials, and randomized clinical trials prior to and in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The studies have demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of these modalities and improved perceived support, as well as significant reductions in distress, and mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Summary A disaster mental health approach to the COVID-19 pandemic can generate opportunities for prevention and support at multiple levels with timely interventions tailored for different concerns, cultures, and available resources.
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Sayer NA, Wiltsey-Stirman S, Rosen CS, Bernardy NC, Spoont MR, Kehle-Forbes SM, Eftekhari A, Chard KM, Nelson DB. Investigation of Therapist Effects on Patient Engagement in Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Veterans Health Administration. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:66-77. [PMID: 34048602 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined whether certain Veterans Health Administration (VHA) therapists have more success than others in keeping patients engaged in evidence-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our objective was to use multilevel modeling to quantify the variability between therapists in two indicators of patient engagement: early dropout (i.e., < 3 sessions) and adequate dose (i.e., ≥ 8 sessions). The phenomenon of systematic variability between therapists in patients' treatment experience and outcomes is referred to as "therapist effects." The sample included the 2,709 therapists who provided individual cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or prolonged exposure (PE) to 18,461 veterans with PTSD across 140 facilities in 2017. Data were extracted from administrative databases. For CPT, therapist effects accounted for 10.9% of the variance in early dropout and 8.9% of the variance in adequate dose. For PE, therapist effects accounted for 6.0% and 8.8% of the variance in early dropout and adequate dose, respectively. Facility only accounted for an additional 1.1%-3.1% of the variance in early dropout and adequate dose. For CPT, patients' odds of receiving an adequate dose almost doubled, OR = 1.41/0.72 = 1.96, if they were seen by a therapist in the highest compared with the lowest retention decile. For PE, the odds of a patient receiving an adequate dose were 84% higher, OR = 1.38/0.75 = 1.84, when treated by a therapist in the highest compared with the lowest retention decile. Therapist skills and work environment may contribute to variability across therapists in early dropout and adequate dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina A Sayer
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shannon Wiltsey-Stirman
- Dissemination & Training Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Craig S Rosen
- Dissemination & Training Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nancy C Bernardy
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Michele R Spoont
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shannon M Kehle-Forbes
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Afsoon Eftekhari
- Dissemination & Training Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Kathleen M Chard
- Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - David B Nelson
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Schnurr PP, Chard KM, Ruzek JI, Chow BK, Resick PA, Foa EB, Marx BP, Friedman MJ, Bovin MJ, Caudle KL, Castillo D, Curry KT, Hollifield M, Huang GD, Chee CL, Astin MC, Dickstein B, Renner K, Clancy CP, Collie C, Maieritsch K, Bailey S, Thompson K, Messina M, Franklin L, Lindley S, Kattar K, Luedtke B, Romesser J, McQuaid J, Sylvers P, Varkovitzky R, Davis L, MacVicar D, Shih MC. Comparison of Prolonged Exposure vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among US Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2136921. [PMID: 35044471 PMCID: PMC8771295 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and serious mental health problem. Although there are effective psychotherapies for PTSD, there is little information about their comparative effectiveness. OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of prolonged exposure (PE) vs cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for treating PTSD in veterans. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This randomized clinical trial assessed the comparative effectiveness of PE vs CPT among veterans with military-related PTSD recruited from outpatient mental health clinics at 17 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers across the US from October 31, 2014, to February 1, 2018, with follow-up through February 1, 2019. The primary outcome was assessed using centralized masking. Tested hypotheses were prespecified before trial initiation. Data were analyzed from October 5, 2020, to May 5, 2021. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to 1 of 2 individual cognitive-behavioral therapies, PE or CPT, delivered according to a flexible protocol of 10 to 14 sessions. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was change in PTSD symptom severity on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) from before treatment to the mean after treatment across posttreatment and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Secondary outcomes included other symptoms, functioning, and quality of life. RESULTS Analyses were based on all 916 randomized participants (730 [79.7%] men and 186 [20.3%] women; mean [range] age 45.2 [21-80] years), with 455 participants randomized to PE (mean CAPS-5 score at baseline, 39.9 [95% CI, 39.1-40.7] points) and 461 participants randomized to CPT (mean CAPS-5 score at baseline, 40.3 [95% CI, 39.5-41.1] points). PTSD severity on the CAPS-5 improved substantially in both PE (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.99 [95% CI, 0.89-1.08]) and CPT (SMD, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.61-0.80]) groups from before to after treatment. Mean improvement was greater in PE than CPT (least square mean, 2.42 [95% CI, 0.53-4.31]; P = .01), but the difference was not clinically significant (SMD, 0.17). Results for self-reported PTSD symptoms were comparable with CAPS-5 findings. The PE group had higher odds of response (odds ratio [OR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.00-1.65]; P < .001), loss of diagnosis (OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.12-1.74]; P < .001), and remission (OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.24-2.00]; P < .001) compared with the CPT group. Groups did not differ on other outcomes. Treatment dropout was higher in PE (254 participants [55.8%]) than in CPT (215 participants [46.6%]; P < .01). Three participants in the PE group and 1 participant in the CPT group were withdrawn from treatment, and 3 participants in each treatment dropped out owing to serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This randomized clinical trial found that although PE was statistically more effective than CPT, the difference was not clinically significant, and improvements in PTSD were meaningful in both treatment groups. These findings highlight the importance of shared decision-making to help patients understand the evidence and select their preferred treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01928732.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula P. Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Kathleen M. Chard
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Josef I. Ruzek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
| | - Bruce K. Chow
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Palo Alto, California
| | | | - Edna B. Foa
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia
| | - Brian P. Marx
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew J. Friedman
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Michelle J. Bovin
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kristina L. Caudle
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
| | - Diane Castillo
- Center of Excellence, Central Texas VA Health Care System, Waco
| | - Kyle T. Curry
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Michael Hollifield
- Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Long Beach, California
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Riverside
| | - Grant D. Huang
- Cooperative Studies Program Central Office, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Su Bailey
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Karin Thompson
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael Messina
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison
| | - Laurel Franklin
- New Orleans VA Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
- South Central VA Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Steve Lindley
- Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | | | | | | | - John McQuaid
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Patrick Sylvers
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, Tacoma, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Ruth Varkovitzky
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, Tacoma, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Lori Davis
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham
| | - David MacVicar
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham
| | - Mei-Chiung Shih
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Palo Alto, California
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Acierno R, Jaffe AE, Gilmore AK, Birks A, Denier C, Muzzy W, Lopez CM, Tuerk P, Grubaugh AL. A randomized clinical trial of in-person vs. home-based telemedicine delivery of Prolonged Exposure for PTSD in military sexual trauma survivors. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 83:102461. [PMID: 34391978 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in women who experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Despite Veterans Affairs Medical Center-wide screening and tailored MST services, substantial barriers to care exist, and about 50 % of those who start evidence-based treatment for PTSD drop out prematurely. Home-based telemedicine (HBT) may reduce logistical and stigma related barriers to mental health care, thereby reducing dropout. The current randomized clinical trial (NCT02417025) for women veterans with MST-related PTSD (N = 136) compared the efficacy of HBT delivery of Prolonged Exposure (PE) to in-person delivery of PE on measures of PTSD and depression, as well as on "PE dose" received. Hypotheses predicted that women in the HBT PE group would complete more sessions, and evince greater PTSD and depression symptom reduction compared to in-person PE. Results revealed that there were no differences in dose received or PTSD symptom reduction between in-person and HBT conditions; however, dose (i.e., more sessions) was related to reduced PTSD symptom severity. Future research should examine other factors associated with high PTSD treatment dropout among MST patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Acierno
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, United States; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States.
| | - Anna E Jaffe
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Amanda K Gilmore
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, GA, United States
| | - Anna Birks
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Carol Denier
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Wendy Muzzy
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, United States
| | - Cristina M Lopez
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, United States
| | - Peter Tuerk
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, United States
| | - Anouk L Grubaugh
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, United States
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Dufort VM, Bernardy N, Maguen S, Hoyt JE, Litt ER, Patterson OV, Leonard CE, Shiner B. Geographic Variation in Initiation of Evidence-based Psychotherapy Among Veterans With PTSD. Mil Med 2021; 186:e858-e866. [DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has invested in implementation of evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for over a decade, resulting in slow but steady uptake of these treatments nationally. However, no prior research has investigated the geographic variation in initiation of EBP. Our objectives were to determine whether there is geographic variation in the initiation of EBP for PTSD in the VA and to identify patient and clinic factors associated with EBP initiation.
Materials and Methods
We identified VA patients with PTSD who had not received EBP as of January 2016 (N = 946,667) using retrospective electronic medical records data and determined whether they initiated EBP by December 2017. We illustrated geographic variation in EBP initiation using national and regional maps. Using multivariate logistic regression, we determined patient, regional, and nearest VA facility predictors of initiating treatment. This study was approved by the Veterans Institutional Review Board of Northern New England.
Results
Nationally, 4.8% (n = 45,895) initiated EBP from 2016 to 2017, and there was geographic variation, ranging from none to almost 30% at the 3-digit ZIP code level. The strongest patient predictors of EBP initiation were the negative predictor of being older than 65 years (OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.45-0.49) and the positive predictor of reporting military-related sexual trauma (OR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.90-2.03). The strongest regional predictors of EBP initiation were the negative predictor of living in the Northeast (OR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.92) and the positive predictor of living in the Midwest (OR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.44-1.51). The only nearest VA facility predictor of EBP initiation was the positive predictor of whether the facility was a VA Medical Center with a specialized PTSD clinic (OR = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.20-1.26).
Conclusion
Although less than 5% of VA patients with PTSD initiated EBP, there was regional variation. Patient factors, region of residence, and nearest VA facility characteristics were all associated with whether patients initiated EBP. Strengths of this study include the use of national longitudinal data, while weaknesses include the potential for misclassification of PTSD diagnoses as well as the potential for misidentification of EBP. Our work indicates geographic areas where access to EBP for PTSD may be poor and can help target work improving access. Future studies should also assess completion of EBP for PTSD and related symptomatic and functional outcomes across geographic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy Bernardy
- National Center for PTSD Executive Division, VT 05009, USA
- Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | | | - Eric R Litt
- Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Olga V Patterson
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
- Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | | | - Brian Shiner
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, VT 05009, USA
- Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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Nugent KL, Macdonald JB, Clarke-Walper KM, Penix EA, Curley JM, Rangel TA, Laygo RM, Woolaway-Bickel K, Wilk JE. Effectiveness of the DROP training for military behavioral health providers targeting therapeutic alliance and premature dropout. Psychother Res 2021; 32:415-427. [PMID: 34261407 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2021.1951870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractPremature discontinuation from behavioral health treatment is a major problem reducing effectiveness of care in military populations. A training was developed and delivered to 622 behavioral health providers across 15 sites within the Army behavioral healthcare system. The training taught two techniques to foster treatment engagement: (1) Progress Informed Treatment, consisting of reviewing symptom assessments and outcome measures, and (2) assessment and discussion of the treatment alliance via a paper survey given near the end of each session. Eighty-five percent of providers indicated the training was useful and 89% of providers incorporated a technique into their practice. Dropout before the fourth session was significantly reduced in the six months following training, from 72.5% to 67.1% in Service Members (SM; X2(1, N=9127) = 39.58, p < .001). In both the pre and post-training periods, providers working at the Master's level, SM aged 17 or 46 or older, and clients receiving a mood, PTSD, anxiety, adjustment, substance or childhood/adolescent psychiatric diagnosis experienced significantly less dropout, while SM aged 18-21 had significantly more dropout. This training is a feasible and available option to increase treatment engagement and improve treatment outcomes for service members.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Nugent
- Military Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,TechWerks, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - J B Macdonald
- Military Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - K M Clarke-Walper
- Military Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - E A Penix
- Military Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - J M Curley
- Military Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - T A Rangel
- Office of the Surgeon General of the Army, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - R M Laygo
- Office of the Surgeon General of the Army, Arlington, VA, USA.,Vista Defense Technologies, Rock Island, IL, USA
| | | | - J E Wilk
- Military Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Van Buiten H, Flynn E, Morris KN. Dog training as a complementary intervention to support Veteran mental health and well-being: A scoping review. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2021; 44:101425. [PMID: 34174750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Military veterans in the United States face a number of complex issues and barriers to successful civilian reintegration. Dog training programs offered to these individuals are being used as a complementary intervention to support multiple aspects of veteran reintegration. This scoping review explored the existing literature on dog training programs as a support for veteran mental health and well-being. METHODS A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to analyze the existing research on this topic. RESULTS Five overarching themes were identified, including improvements to mental health, social benefits, a developed sense of purpose, differing impacts of training methods, and potential negative outcomes associated with stressful demands of training. CONCLUSION The results of this review suggested dog training programs have potentially positive effects on veteran mental health but also revealed a few potential negative impacts and the need for further research on this animal-assisted intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Van Buiten
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, USA.
| | - Erin Flynn
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, USA.
| | - Kevin N Morris
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, USA.
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Seal KH, Pyne JM, Manuel JK, Li Y, Koenig CJ, Zamora KA, Abraham TH, Mesidor MM, Hill C, Uddo M, Hamilton M, Borsari B, Bertenthal D, Casey JJ, Kelly PA. Telephone veteran peer coaching for mental health treatment engagement among rural veterans: The importance of secondary outcomes and qualitative data in a randomized controlled trial. J Rural Health 2021; 37:788-800. [PMID: 33978989 PMCID: PMC8519064 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To determine the effectiveness of telephone motivational coaching delivered by veteran peers to improve mental health (MH) treatment engagement among veterans. Methods Veterans receiving primary care from primarily rural VA community‐based outpatient clinics were enrolled. Veterans not engaged in MH treatment screening positive for ≥1 MH problem(s) were randomized to receive veteran peer‐delivered feedback on MH screen results and referrals plus 4 sessions of telephone motivational coaching (intervention) versus veteran peer‐delivered MH results and referrals without motivational coaching (control). Blinded telephone assessments were conducted at baseline, 8, 16, and 32 weeks. Cox proportional hazard models compared MH clinician‐directed treatment initiation between groups; descriptive analyses compared MH treatment retention, changes in MH symptoms, quality of life, and self‐care. Findings Among 272 veterans screening positive for ≥1 MH problem(s), 45% who received veteran peer telephone motivational coaching versus 46% of control participants initiated MH treatment (primary outcome) (hazard ratio: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.76‐1.57), representing no between‐group differences. In contrast, veterans receiving veteran peer motivational coaching achieved significantly greater improvements in depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and cannabis use scores, quality of life domains, and adoption of some self‐care strategies than controls (secondary outcomes). Qualitative data revealed that veterans who received veteran peer motivational coaching may no longer have perceived a need for MH treatment. Conclusions Among veterans with MH problems using predominantly rural VA community clinics, telephone peer motivational coaching did not enhance MH treatment engagement, but instead had positive effects on MH symptoms, quality of life indicators, and use of self‐care strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen H Seal
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Pyne
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Mental Healthcare & Outcomes Research, Health Services Research and Development, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Jennifer K Manuel
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yongmei Li
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christopher J Koenig
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Communication Studies, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kara A Zamora
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Traci H Abraham
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Mental Healthcare & Outcomes Research, Health Services Research and Development, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC), Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Marie M Mesidor
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Coleen Hill
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Madeline Uddo
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Michelle Hamilton
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Brian Borsari
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel Bertenthal
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James J Casey
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - P Adam Kelly
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Marchand WR, Andersen SJ, Smith JE, Hoopes KH, Carlson JK. Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current State, Challenges and Future Directions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 5:2470547021991556. [PMID: 33644617 PMCID: PMC7890715 DOI: 10.1177/2470547021991556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder is common among military Veterans. While effective treatments exist, many Veterans either do not engage in treatment or fail to achieve full remission. Thus, there is a need to develop adjunctive complementary interventions to enhance treatment engagement and/or response. Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) are one category of animal assisted interventions that might serve this function. The aim of this article is to review the current state and challenges regarding the use of EAAT for Veterans with PTSD and provide a roadmap to move the field forward. EAAT hold promise as adjunctive complementary interventions for symptom reduction among Veterans with PTSD. Additionally, there is evidence that these approaches may enhance wellbeing in this population. At this time, many gaps in the literature exist and rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. The authors of this work provide recommendations as a roadmap to move the field forward. These include standardizing the EAAT nomenclature, focusing mechanism of action studies on the human-horse bond using biological metrics and using a standardized intervention model across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Marchand
- Whole Health Flagship Site Located at VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Sarah J Andersen
- Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Judy E Smith
- Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Karl H Hoopes
- Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Jennifer K Carlson
- Whole Health Flagship Site Located at VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Youngstedt SD, Kline CE, Reynolds AM, Crowley SK, Burch JB, Khan N, Han S. Bright Light Treatment of Combat-related PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Mil Med 2021; 187:e435-e444. [PMID: 33511988 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent consequence of combat with significant associated morbidity. Available treatments for PTSD have had limitations, suggesting a need to explore alternative or adjuvant treatments. Numerous rationales for bright light treatment of PTSD include its benefits for common PTSD comorbidities of depression, anxiety, and circadian misalignment and its relative ease of use with few side effects. The primary aims of this research were to examine the effects of bright light treatment for combat-related PTSD and associated morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomized controlled trial was performed in N = 69 veterans with PTSD attributable to combat in Afghanistan and/or Iraq. Following a 1-week baseline, participants were randomized to 4 weeks of daily morning bright light treatment (10,000 lux for 30 min/day) or a control treatment (inactivated negative ion generator). At baseline and at the end of treatment, participants were rated blindly on the Clinician Assessed PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), and the Hamilton Depression Scale and rated themselves on the PTSD Checklist-Military (PCL-M). Following baseline and each treatment week, participants completed self-reported scales of state anxiety, depression, and sleep, and sleep and the circadian rhythm of wrist activity were also assessed with wrist actigraphy. RESULTS Compared with the control treatment, bright light elicited significantly greater improvements in the CAPS and CGI-Improvement. The bright light also elicited a significantly greater rate of treatment response (reduction ≥33%) for the CAPS (44.1% vs. 8.6%) and PCL-M (33% vs. 6%), but no participant had remission from PTSD. Changes in depression, anxiety, and sleep did not differ between treatments. Improvement in CAPS was significantly correlated with a phase advance of the circadian rhythm of wrist activity. CONCLUSIONS The most comprehensive study on the topic to date indicated significant short-term efficacy of bright light treatment on the primary variables (CAPS and CGI) with clinical relevance (i.e., treatment response) in veterans with chronic PTSD who did not report extremely high habitual light exposure. No significant effects were found for anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbance. Further research is warranted, particularly exploration of circadian phase-shifting mechanisms of bright light for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn D Youngstedt
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.,Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA
| | - Christopher E Kline
- Department of Health and Human Development, Research Service, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Alexandria M Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia's College at Wise, Wise, VA 24293, USA
| | - Shannon K Crowley
- Department of Exercise Science, Department of Health Promotion, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, USA
| | - James B Burch
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Nidha Khan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - SeungYong Han
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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