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Meshberg-Cohen S, Cook JM, Bin-Mahfouz A, Petrakis IL. Written exposure therapy for veterans with co-occurring substance use disorders and PTSD: Study design of a randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2024; 139:107475. [PMID: 38365173 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107475] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
There are high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among treatment-seeking veterans with substance use disorders (SUD). While addiction programs traditionally do not address PTSD, there is evidence that trauma treatments for individuals with this comorbidity have improved PTSD and SUD outcomes. Written exposure therapy (WET), a five-session evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD, has high patient satisfaction, and lower dropout compared to other EBPs for PTSD. WET may be ideally suited for clinical settings that may not have the trauma expertise found in PTSD specialty clinics, given it requires less training time, treatment sessions, preparation time, and therapist involvement than existing EBPs, and no homework assignments. This paper describes the design, methodology, and protocol of a randomized clinical trial to evaluate whether treatment as usual (TAU) plus WET (n = 51) is superior to TAU plus a neutral topic writing condition (n = 51) on both PTSD and addiction outcomes for veterans in SUD treatment. The primary hypothesis is that participants assigned to TAU+WET, compared to those in TAU+ neutral topic writing, will report reduced symptoms of PTSD. The secondary hypothesis is that veterans receiving WET will have greater decreases in number of days of substance use compared to TAU+ neutral topic controls at follow-up. Assessments will take place at baseline, post-treatment, 8-week, and 12-week follow-up. Exploratory aims will examine the association between heart rate variability and treatment outcomes. If results prove promising, they will support WET as an effective brief, easy to disseminate, adjunct to current SUD treatment for veterans with comorbid PTSD. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05327504.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Meshberg-Cohen
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, United States of America.
| | - Joan M Cook
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America
| | - Amirah Bin-Mahfouz
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, United States of America
| | - Ismene L Petrakis
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, United States of America; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, United States of America
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2
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Kline AC, Otis NP, Norman SB, Hunt WM, Walter KH. Dropout in a clinical trial for comorbid PTSD and MDD among US service members: Are pretreatment characteristics predictive? Psychother Res 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38497740 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2024.2325519] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite effective treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), many patients do not complete therapy. This includes U.S. active duty service members, yet factors linked to attendance in this population remain understudied and dropout remains difficult to predict. Additionally, most studies have not examined samples with PTSD and co-occurring major depressive disorder (MDD) despite high rates of comorbidity. METHOD The current study explored predictors of dropout among service members with comorbid PTSD and MDD (N = 94) randomized to cognitive processing therapy enhanced with behavioral activation (BA + CPT) or CPT as part of a clinical trial. RESULTS Using the Fournier approach, only two predictors were associated with lower dropout risk among over 20 examined: shorter duration between pretreatment assessment and Session 1 (p = .041) and past 3-month PTSD treatment engagement (p = .036). CONCLUSION Results suggest the possible utility of early momentum in starting therapy and leveraging recent treatment to improve attendance. However, this study also highlights the possible limitations of commonly assessed pretreatment factors in predicting attendance and current challenges in measuring dropout risk. Strategies to improve prediction, such as shifting focus to assess modifiable factors and processes more proximal to dropout during treatment, may be needed.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02874131.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Kline
- Psychological Health and Readiness, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Otis
- Psychological Health and Readiness, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sonya B Norman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, VT, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - W Michael Hunt
- Directorate of Mental Health, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kristen H Walter
- Psychological Health and Readiness, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
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Maciel MR, Calsavara VF, Zylberstajn C, Mello MF, Coimbra BM, Mello AF. Changes in attachment dimensions during the treatment of acute post-traumatic stress disorder in sexually assaulted Brazilian women. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1325622. [PMID: 38130963 PMCID: PMC10734689 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1325622] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Attachment patterns are established during early childhood; however, extreme experiences throughout life may change this structure, either toward attachment security or insecurity. We analyzed changes in attachment dimensions in women with acute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following sexual assault, that were randomized to a 14-week treatment with either the medication sertraline or Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Methods Seventy-four adult women who presented significant reduction in PTSD symptoms across the trial responded to the Revised Adult Attachment Scale at baseline, on week 8 of treatment, and at the end of the trial, on week 14. We fitted a generalized linear model to explain the attachment anxiety and avoidance scores at baseline. A generalized linear mixed model investigated how attachment dimensions changed over time. Socioeconomic data, treatment type, history of childhood trauma, and PTSD severity over the 14-week period were the considered covariates. Results At baseline, attachment anxiety was associated with a history of early trauma. Attachment anxiety remained stable during the follow-up. Attachment avoidance, on the other hand, significantly increased from baseline to week 14. Higher avoidance was observed in patients with higher total PTSD scores and on the cluster of hyperarousal symptoms. Races other than White (black, mixed-race, or Asian) and younger age were associated with higher attachment avoidance. Discussion Contrary to our expectations, attachment avoidance increased during follow-up, indicating changes in the interpersonal realm beyond the symptoms of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rangel Maciel
- Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Cecilia Zylberstajn
- Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Feijo Mello
- Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Messina Coimbra
- Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Methodology and Statistics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Andrea Feijo Mello
- Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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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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5
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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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6
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Walter KH, Hunt WM, Otis NP, Kline AC, Miggantz EL, Thomsen CJ, Glassman LH. Comparison of behavioral activation-enhanced cognitive processing therapy and cognitive processing therapy among U.S. service members: A randomized clinical trial. Psychiatry Res 2023; 326:115330. [PMID: 37418778 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115330] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently co-occur and can cause significant impairment. Data are lacking as to whether interventions targeting both PTSD and MDD may improve treatment outcomes among individuals with this comorbidity compared with existing evidence-based PTSD treatments alone. This randomized trial compared the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) enhanced with behavioral activation (BA+CPT) versus CPT among 94 service members (52 women and 42 men; age M = 28.5 years) with comorbid PTSD and MDD. The primary outcome was clinician-administered depression symptom severity on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) from pretreatment through 3-month follow-up. Intent-to-treat analyses using multilevel models showed statistically and clinically significant decreases in MADRS scores for both conditions over time, with no significant differences between BA+CPT and CPT. Secondary depression and PTSD symptom outcomes followed a similar pattern of results. For diagnostic MDD and PTSD outcomes using available data, no statistically significant differences between treatments emerged at posttreatment or 3-month follow-up. Sessions attended, dropout rate, and treatment satisfaction did not significantly differ between treatments. Outcomes were comparable for both treatments, suggesting that BA+CPT and CPT were similarly effective psychotherapy options for comorbid PTSD and MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen H Walter
- Health and Behavioral Sciences, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - W Michael Hunt
- Directorate of Mental Health, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Otis
- Health and Behavioral Sciences, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alexander C Kline
- Health and Behavioral Sciences, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Erin L Miggantz
- Health and Behavioral Sciences, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia J Thomsen
- Health and Behavioral Sciences, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lisa H Glassman
- Health and Behavioral Sciences, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
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7
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Stoycos SA, Berzenski SR, Beck JG, Unger W, Cappellano JM, Spofford CM, Sloan DM. Predictors of treatment completion in group psychotherapy for male veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:346-358. [PMID: 36782378 PMCID: PMC10101887 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Group therapy is a frequently used therapy format for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, factors contributing to treatment completion remain understudied. The current study examined predictors of treatment completion, defined as having completed 10 out of 14 sessions within 16 weeks, in veterans with PTSD who engaged in a hybrid efficacy-effectiveness randomized controlled trial of group psychotherapy for PTSD. Veterans (N = 198) were randomly assigned to 14 sessions of either group cognitive behavioral treatment (GBCT; n = 98) or group present-centered treatment (GPCT; n = 100). Four primary domains of predictors were examined, encompassing sociodemographic factors, the severity of PTSD and comorbid conditions, modifiable predictors, and treatment condition. Multilevel binomial logistic regression models following the Fournier analysis approach were used to examine significant predictors within domains, which were then included in a final model. Overall, 70.7% of participants completed treatment (GCBT = 61.6%, GPCT = 79.8%). Participants in the GPCT condition were 2.389 times, 95% CI [1.394, 4.092], more likely to complete treatment than those in the GCBT condition. Older age, a higher income and level of educational attainment, more lifetime and current mental health diagnoses, and higher use of positive reappraisal ER skills predicted treatment completion. Higher levels of depressive symptoms, cumulative trauma burden, and use of positive refocusing ER skills predicted treatment noncompletion. These findings are discussed in the context of current clinical and research practices for examining treatment noncompletion, with attention to the inclusion of translational predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Stoycos
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara R Berzenski
- Department of Psychology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, California, USA
| | - J Gayle Beck
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - William Unger
- VA Providence Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Christopher M Spofford
- Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Denise M Sloan
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Howard KP, Spoont MR, Polusny MA, Eftekhari A, Rosen CS, Meis LA. The role of symptom accommodation in trauma-focused treatment engagement and response. J Trauma Stress 2023. [PMID: 36782380 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Although trauma-focused treatments (TFTs) are generally effective, not all patients improve. Symptom accommodation (i.e., altering one's behavior in response to another's symptoms) by loved ones may be particularly relevant to TFT treatment response and engagement. We examined the role of symptom accommodation by support persons (SPs) in veterans' PTSD treatment response, including the mediating role of treatment engagement and the moderating role of relationship strain. Veterans engaging in prolonged exposure or cognitive processing therapy and a loved one (N = 172 dyads) were sampled at two time points approximately four months apart. Measures of treatment engagement (i.e., highest session completed from the treatment protocol and homework completion) were obtained from hospital records. We found that relationship strain moderated the effect of symptom accommodation on treatment response, ∆R2 = .02. Specifically, Time 1 (T1) accommodation predicted poorer treatment response (i.e., Time 2 [T2] PTSD symptom severity, controlling for T1 symptoms) among veterans who reported below-average relationship strain only. Additionally, symptom accommodation was indirectly related to treatment response such that T1 accommodation predicted higher T2 PTSD symptom severity specifically through reduced homework completion, β = .01. The findings suggest that attending to accommodating behaviors of veterans' supportive partners may be an important way to boost both engagement in and response to TFTs for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen P Howard
- Milwaukee VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michele R Spoont
- National Center for PTSD Pacific Islands Division, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Melissa A Polusny
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Afsoon Eftekhari
- National Center for PTSD Dissemination & Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Craig S Rosen
- National Center for PTSD Dissemination & Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Laura A Meis
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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9
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Wiltsey Stirman S, La Bash H, Nelson D, Orazem R, Klein A, Sayer NA. Assessment of modifications to evidence-based psychotherapies using administrative and chart note data from the US department of veterans affairs health care system. Front Public Health 2022; 10:984505. [PMID: 36457312 PMCID: PMC9705357 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.984505] [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: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has over 15 years of experience in delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs). This paper describes strategies for using clinical documentation and administrative data to understand adherence and modifications to EBPs for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Methods This study focused on two EBPs for PTSD, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). The sample included VA therapists from across the US who provided CPT and PE and the patients they treated over a 1-year period. The data sources for this study were templated EBP chart notes and VA administrative data. We used a manual review of note content and administrative data rules to code therapy adherence and modifications in 7,297 EBP sessions for 1,257 patients seen by 182 therapists. Two trained coders rated each therapy note and resolved discrepancies through consensus. To contextualize and explain variation in adherence and modifications, we conducted brief 30-45-min semi-structured interviews with a purposive subsample of these therapists (n = 32). Findings Combining manual chart review and administrative data allowed for identification of 11 types of modifications. Raters disagreed on adherence for 30% of notes. The disagreement stemmed from the presence of therapy modifications that were not clearly documented, necessitating the development of decision rules and strategies for modification coding. Both therapists and patients contributed to the variance in the extent to which different modifications occurred. Therapist interviews demonstrated therapist awareness of modifying the protocols in the ways identified through chart review. Conclusion Healthcare systems can use data collected as part of routine care to understand how and when EBPs are modified but need to develop scalable strategies to document adaptations and modifications to EBPs in routine care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Wiltsey Stirman
- National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Menlo Park, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Shannon Wiltsey Stirman
| | - Heidi La Bash
- National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - David Nelson
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Robert Orazem
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Abigail Klein
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Nina A. Sayer
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States,Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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10
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Thompson-Hollands J, Rando AA, Stoycos SA, Meis LA, Iverson KM. Family Involvement in PTSD Treatment: Perspectives from a Nationwide Sample of Veterans Health Administration Clinicians. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2022; 49:1019-1030. [PMID: 35930084 PMCID: PMC9362012 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-022-01214-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Social support is bidirectionally linked to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Evidence suggests that family involvement in veterans' mental health treatment is desired by both veterans and family members, and that such involvement has the potential to improve treatment outcomes. However, rates of family involvement are low in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We sought to understand VHA clinicians' perspectives on family involvement in PTSD treatment by conducting qualitative interviews with 31 providers at 10 VHA facilities across the U.S. The i-PARIHS framework was used to guide the interviews and analysis, and several major themes were identified. All clinicians reported that they at least occasionally offered family-inclusive sessions, and they frequently referenced both the influence of family behaviors or attitudes on veterans' functioning, and also how veterans' symptoms could cause tremendous disruption in the family. Clinicians' past experience with supervised family- or couple-based work strongly influenced their current comfort with family-inclusive sessions. Multiple potential avenues exist to support increased family involvement in PTSD treatment in VHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Thompson-Hollands
- Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | - Sarah A Stoycos
- Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura A Meis
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Katherine M Iverson
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
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11
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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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12
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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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13
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Vera M, Obén A, Juarbe D, Hernández N, Kichic R, Hembree EA. A randomized clinical trial of prolonged exposure and applied relaxation for the treatment of Latinos with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:593-604. [PMID: 34973048 PMCID: PMC9035035 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Robust evidence supports the use of prolonged exposure therapy (PE) as a first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, Latinos have not benefitted equally from advancements in the treatment of PTSD and continue to face barriers to receiving care. There is consensus that it is necessary to support the expansion of high-quality culturally and linguistically appropriate treatment to address disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minorities in behavioral health care. The current study was a randomized controlled trial comparing a culturally adapted PE intervention with applied relaxation (AR) among Spanish-speaking Latinos with PTSD in Puerto Rico. Eligible participants (N = 98) were randomly assigned to PE (n = 49) or AR (n = 49). Both treatments included 12-15 weekly sessions each lasting 60-90 min. The primary outcome, clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity, was assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results showed a large within-group effect of treatment on PTSD symptoms, PE: d = 1.29, 95% CI [1.12, 2.05]; AR: d = 1.38, 95% CI [1.21, 2.19]. The between-group effect on PTSD symptoms was small, d = -0.09, 95% CI [-0.48, 0.31]. Participants in both treatment conditions reported significant decreases in PTSD symptoms from baseline to follow-up; additionally, significant within-group reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms were observed. These findings underscore the potential benefit of PE and AR for the treatment of Spanish-speaking Latinos with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mildred Vera
- Department of Health Services Administration, School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico,Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research, School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico
| | - Adriana Obén
- Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research, School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico
| | - Deborah Juarbe
- Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research, School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico
| | - Norberto Hernández
- Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research, School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico
| | - Rafael Kichic
- Centro de Ansiedad y Trastornos Relacionados (CEAN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elizabeth A. Hembree
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Treatment and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
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14
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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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [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
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.gov NCT03256227 . Registered on August 21, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Meis
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, USA.
| | - Shirley M Glynn
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Science, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Michele R Spoont
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, USA
- Pacific Islands Division, National Center for PTSD, Honolulu, USA
| | - Shannon M Kehle-Forbes
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, USA
- Women's Division, National Center for PTSD, Honolulu, USA
| | - David Nelson
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, USA
| | - Carl E Isenhart
- VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22), Long Beach, USA
| | - Afsoon Eftekhari
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Livermore, USA
| | - Princess E Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, USA
| | - Erin B Linden
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robert J Orazem
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrea Cutting
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emily M Hagel Campbell
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
| | - Millie C Astin
- Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University Medical Center, Atlanta, USA
| | - Katherine E Porter
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Erin Smith
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | | | - Tessa C Vuper
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Taylor A Oakley
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, USA
| | - Lila B Khan
- Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - Melissa A Polusny
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minnesota, USA
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
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15
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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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16
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Thompson-Hollands J, Lee DJ, Sloan DM. The Use of a Brief Family Intervention to Reduce Dropout Among Veterans in Individual Trauma-Focused Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:829-839. [PMID: 33891718 PMCID: PMC8555692 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Dropout from trauma-focused treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a daunting challenge for the field, particularly among military and veteran samples. Family involvement may help to increase the effectiveness of PTSD treatment while also improving retention. We tested a two-session brief family intervention (BFI) protocol delivered as an adjunct to individual trauma-focused treatment among a sample of 20 veteran-family member dyads (N = 40). Willingness to participate in the family-inclusive protocol was high, with over 85% of veterans and family members who were screened agreeing to take part. All enrolled veterans were beginning a course of either cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or prolonged exposure (PE), delivered in outpatient Veterans Affairs clinics. Family members were randomized to either receive or not receive the BFI from study clinicians. In the BFI condition, 20.0% of veterans dropped out of CPT/PE before the 16-week study end; the remainder were either still attending on-protocol sessions or had completed the full protocol. In the control condition, 40.0% of veterans dropped out of CPT/PE before the end of the study. Observed significant, large-magnitude decreases in PTSD symptoms over time did not differ by condition, ESsg range = -1.12 to -2.04. Accommodation did not significantly decrease over time in either condition, ESsg range = 0.18 to -0.98. The BFI represents a promising option for veterans, family members, and clinicians who are seeking a brief, feasible, narrowly focused method for incorporating families into veterans' individual trauma-focused therapy and potentially reducing the rate of dropout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Thompson-Hollands
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Behavioral Science Division, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Daniel J Lee
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Behavioral Science Division, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Denise M Sloan
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Behavioral Science Division, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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17
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Meis LA, Noorbaloochi S, Hagel Campbell EM, Erickson EPG, Velasquez TL, Leverty DM, Thompson K, Erbes C. A Theory of Planned Behavior Scale for Adherence to Trauma-Focused Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatments. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:440-453. [PMID: 33200475 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Evidence-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure (CPT/PE), greatly reduce suffering for veterans, but many veterans fail to complete treatment. Developing a theory-based understanding of adherence is necessary to inform interventions to improve treatment retention. We developed and tested a series of scales applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to CPT/PE adherence. The scales were administered in mailed surveys as part of a larger mixed-methods study of veteran adherence to PE/CPT. Surveys were sent to 379 veterans who were initiating CPT/PE across four U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and 207 of their loved ones. Subsequent session attendance and homework compliance were coded via a review of electronic medical records. We examined item-level characteristics, factor structure, and the convergent and discriminant validity of the resultant scales. The findings support four subscales: two related to attitudes (i.e., Treatment Makes Sense and Treatment Fits Needs), one related to perceived behavioral control over participation (i.e., Participation Control), and one related to perceived family attitudes about CPT/PE participation (i.e., Subjective Norms). Scale validity was supported through significant associations with theoretically relevant constructs, including intentions to persist in CPT/PE, rs = .19-.38; treatment completion, rs = .21-.25; practical treatment barriers, rs = -.19 to -.24; and therapeutic alliance, rs = .39-.57.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Meis
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Siamak Noorbaloochi
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emily M Hagel Campbell
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emily P G Erickson
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tina L Velasquez
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David M Leverty
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Katie Thompson
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christopher Erbes
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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18
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Worley CB, LoSavio ST, Aajmain S, Rosen C, Stirman SW, Sloan DM. Training During a Pandemic: Successes, Challenges, and Practical Guidance From a Virtual Facilitated Learning Collaborative Training Program for Written Exposure Therapy. J Trauma Stress 2020; 33:634-642. [PMID: 33007149 PMCID: PMC7675270 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In response to COVID-19, continued workforce training is essential to ensure that evidence-based treatments are available on the frontline to meet communities' ongoing and emerging mental health needs. However, training during a pandemic imposes many new challenges. This paper describes a multisite training and implementation pilot program, facets of which allowed for continued training despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing guidelines. This virtual facilitated learning collaborative in Written Exposure Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder, included virtual workshop training, phone-based clinical consultation, implementation-focused video calls for program leadership, and program evaluation. Data are presented about program enrollees and patient impact following the onset of COVID-19-related social distancing restrictions. Challenges, successes, and practical guidance are discussed to inform the field regarding training strategies likely to be durable in an uncertain, dynamic healthcare landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney B. Worley
- National Center for PTSDDissemination and Training DivisionCaliforniaUSA,Central Alabama Veterans Health Care SystemAlabamaUSA,Alabama Research Institute on AgingAlabamaUSA
| | - Stefanie T. LoSavio
- National Center for PTSDDissemination and Training DivisionCaliforniaUSA,Duke University Medical CenterDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Syed Aajmain
- National Center for PTSDDissemination and Training DivisionCaliforniaUSA,Stanford UniversityCaliforniaUSA
| | - Craig Rosen
- National Center for PTSDDissemination and Training DivisionCaliforniaUSA,Stanford UniversityCaliforniaUSA
| | - Shannon Wiltsey Stirman
- National Center for PTSDDissemination and Training DivisionCaliforniaUSA,Stanford UniversityCaliforniaUSA
| | - Denise M. Sloan
- National Center for PTSDBehavioral Science Division at VA Boston Healthcare System,Boston University School of MedicineMassachusettsUSA
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19
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Shiner B, Leonard C, Gui J, Cornelius S, Gradus JL, Schnurr PP, Watts BV. Measurement Strategies for Evidence-Based Antidepressants for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Delivery: Trends and Associations with Patient-Reported Outcomes. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2020; 48:70-87. [PMID: 32394096 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-020-01047-w] [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] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We sought to develop a quality standard for the prescription of antidepressants for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that is both consistent with the underlying evidence supporting antidepressants as a treatment for PTSD and associated with the best levels of symptom improvement. We quantified antidepressant initiation during the first year of PTSD treatment in a 10-year national cohort of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) users, and compared outcomes in a subgroup who completed patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) as part of routine practice. We added progressively stringent measurement requirements. Prescribing quality for PTSD in the VA was stable over time. Use of PROM was rare in the case of antidepressant treatment, limiting our assessment of outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Shiner
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,National Center for PTSD Executive Division, White River Junction, VT, USA.
| | - Christine Leonard
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
| | - Jiang Gui
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Sarah Cornelius
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
| | | | - Paula P Schnurr
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.,National Center for PTSD Executive Division, White River Junction, VT, USA
| | - Bradley V Watts
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.,VA Office of Systems Redesign and Improvement, Washington, DC, USA
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20
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Sripada RK, Ready DJ, Ganoczy D, Astin MC, Rauch SAM. When to Change the Treatment Plan: An Analysis of Diminishing Returns in VA Patients Undergoing Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Behav Ther 2020; 51:85-98. [PMID: 32005342 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often produce significant symptom reduction within eight sessions. However, some patients take longer to respond and a better understanding of predictors of later response can help guide treatment. In the current study, the cohort consisted of all VA patients with a PTSD diagnosis who received at least eight sessions of documented evidence-based treatment within a 6-month period in FY16-FY17 and had at least two PTSD symptom assessments. We examined the proportion of patients who achieved meaningful change (defined as at least 50% reduction in self-reported PTSD symptoms), both within the first eight sessions and subsequently. Fourteen percent of patients achieved meaningful change within eight sessions and 10% subsequently. Symptom change within the first eight sessions was highly predictive of subsequent change. Those who experienced at least 20% symptom reduction by session eight were twice as likely to subsequently achieve meaningful change as compared with all patients who continued treatment. Patients receiving service-connected disability compensation were less likely and White patients more likely to achieve meaningful change. Without some degree of symptom reduction by session eight, patients are unlikely to achieve meaningful change if treatment is not enhanced or changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Sripada
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research VA Ann Arbor Health Care System; University of Michigan.
| | | | - Dara Ganoczy
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research and Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health Care System
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