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Ruisch JE, Nederstigt AHM, van der Vorst A, Boersma SN, Vink MT, Hoeboer CM, Olff M, Sobczak S. Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in people with dementia: a structured literature review. Psychogeriatrics 2023; 23:523-534. [PMID: 36932467 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with cognitive dysfunctions and is an independent risk factor for dementia. A recent study has found the prevalence of PTSD in people with dementia is 4.7%-7.8%. However, little is known about the effectiveness of PTSD treatment for people with dementia. The primary aim of the current study is to review previous studies on the treatment of PTSD in people with dementia. A structured literature review was performed using a 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses' analysis in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL. Two independent researchers screened titles and abstracts. The inclusion criteria were: PTSD symptoms present, diagnosis of dementia, PTSD treatment form described and effects of the treatment mentioned. Articles that matched these criteria were included and content and quality were analyzed. We included nine articles, all case reports, with a total of 11 cases. The discussed treatment options are eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) (n = 3), prolonged exposure (n = 1), cognitive behavioural therapy (n = 1) and pharmacological treatment (n = 4). All articles reported a positive effect of the intervention on several monitored symptoms. Evidence for positive effects and feasibility of EMDR were most reliable, and it was applied in two articles of sufficient quality published in 2018 and 2019. EMDR 'on-the-spot' was described with positive effect in one article in which three cases were discussed. The quality of included papers ranged from insufficient to sufficient. This review shows that people with PTSD and dementia can benefit from PTSD treatment. EMDR, prolonged exposure, acceptance and commitment therapy and pharmacological treatment are applicable in this population. EMDR treatment is most described in this population (n = 5) and shows positive results, and the studies are of sufficient quality (n = 3). Further research in the form of a randomised controlled trial is required to study the effectivity of different treatment interventions in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Ruisch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Treatment and Guidance, Envida, Care for Elderly, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A H M Nederstigt
- Department of Treatment and Guidance, Sevagram, Care for Elderly, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,VOSON, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A van der Vorst
- Department of Treatment and Guidance, Envida, Care for Elderly, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - S N Boersma
- VOSON, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M T Vink
- GERION, Department of Medicine for Older People, Amsterdam University Medical Centre/VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C M Hoeboer
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centres Location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centres Location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - S Sobczak
- Mondriaan Mental Health Centre, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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2
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Havermans DC, van Alphen SP, Olff M, Van der Velden-Daamen M, Verhey F, Rutten BP, Stuijts P, Cook JM, Sobczak S. The Need for a Diagnostic Instrument to Assess Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in People with Dementia: Findings from a Delphi Study. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2023; 36:129-142. [PMID: 35713096 PMCID: PMC9941654 DOI: 10.1177/08919887221103583] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive and behavioral aspects may mask posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with dementia. PTSD severely lowers quality of life in people with dementia. Proper recognition of PTSD is essential to ensure adequate treatment. However, a valid diagnostic tool for PTSD in dementia is lacking. A Delphi study was conducted among 20 Dutch and 6 international experts in the field of PTSD and dementia care or research. The aim was to reach consensus in 3 rounds on the added value, form, content, and application for developing such an instrument. The first round confirmed the need for a new diagnostic tool for research and clinical practice. Consensus was reached on 23 statements regarding the support base and 19 related to content of the instrument. In the third round, opinions on several conceptual problems were gathered. Based on the experts' opinions, a draft version of an instrument, the TRAuma and DEmentia-interview (TRADE-interview), was developed. Clinical and research implications of this new measure are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demi C.D. Havermans
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Demi C.D. Havermans, MSc, Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands. Kloosterkensweg 10, 6419PJ Heerlen.
| | - Sebastiaan P.J. van Alphen
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical and Life Span Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Miranda Olff
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle Van der Velden-Daamen
- Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychogeriatrics, Cicero-Zorggroep, Brunssum, The Netherlands
| | - Frans Verhey
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart P.F. Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joan M Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sjacko Sobczak
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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3
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Sobczak S, Olff M, Rutten B, Verhey F, Deckers K. Comorbidity rates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in dementia: a systematic literature review. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1883923. [PMID: 33968318 PMCID: PMC8075086 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1883923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been described as an independent risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. At the same time, cognitive deterioration and increased loss experiences in dementia may increase liability for the reactivation of traumatic memories and thereby PTSD symptoms. Objective: In order to investigate co-occurrence of PTSD in dementia this systematic literature review summarizes all the available evidence on reported comorbidity rates of PTSD in patients with dementia. Method: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL were searched for potential publications investigating the co-occurrence of PTSD in dementia until 25 November 2019. Cohort and cross-sectional studies were included. To assure current comorbidity of PTSD in dementia, only publications with a recent PTSD diagnosis (<2 years before onset of dementia) were selected. Results: Of the 860 identified abstracts, three studies (0.35%) met the eligibility criteria and were included. These three studies concerned only military veteran populations, and they comprised two cross-sectional cohort studies and one prospective cohort study. The estimated comorbidity rate of PTSD in veterans with dementia varied between 4.7% and 7.8%. Conclusions: The limited research available shows comorbidity rates only in military veterans, which were possibly dependent on investigated population with respect to dementia severity and possibly associated behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In dementia patients the comorbidity with PTSD may be high and we suggest that worldwide the impact of PTSD in dementia is high and probably underestimated. Research and care on this topic should improve urgently with the current expanding prevalence of dementia. A first step to improve quality of dementia research and care would be to develop a structured tool to diagnose PTSD in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjacko Sobczak
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Hospital, Heerlen, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Miranda Olff
- Arq Psychotrauma Research, AMC/University of Amsterdam, Amterdam
| | - Bart Rutten
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans Verhey
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kay Deckers
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Gielkens E, Vink M, Sobczak S, Rosowsky E, Van Alphen B. EMDR in Older Adults With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. JOURNAL OF EMDR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1891/1933-3196.12.3.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Recognition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older adults is often difficult due to its complicated presentation. Once recognized, trauma symptoms can, in accordance with (inter)national guidelines, be successfully treated with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. However, limited empirical research has been done on the expression and treatment of PTSD in older adults. This article explains trauma and age in the context of psychotherapy. It discusses the interaction between age and pathology and summarizes the cognitive issues related to age, PTSD, and anxiety. It provides practical suggestions for how these can be addressed in treatment. Age-related challenges related to motivation are identified with practical suggestions for addressing them. The case illustrates the necessary additions and subtractions for older adults, with clear explanations and instructions. This article points the way for future research.
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Sachs-Ericsson N, Joiner TE, Cougle JR, Stanley IH, Sheffler JL. Combat Exposure in Early Adulthood Interacts with Recent Stressors to Predict PTSD in Aging Male Veterans. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnv036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Gielkens EMJ, van Alphen B, Sobczak S, Segal DL. Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for an Older Dutch Woman With Late-Onset Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Complicated by a Cerebral Vascular Accident. Clin Case Stud 2014. [DOI: 10.1177/1534650113517933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that is known to have deleterious psychological, physical, and social impacts on individuals. Recognition of PTSD in older adults is difficult due to the complicated presentation taking into account that PTSD symptoms may be masked by other psychiatric and/or somatic diagnoses that are more common in older adults. Furthermore, some older adults may underreport their PTSD symptoms, and the relationship between current symptoms and distant traumas may be difficult to detect. Limited empirical research has been done on the manifestation, course, and treatment of PTSD in older adults. In this article, the literature on PTSD in older adults is reviewed, including discussion of common diagnostic problems, illustrated by a case report of an older woman with late-onset PTSD after a cerebral vascular accident (CVA). In conclusion, identifying PTSD in older adults can be difficult. However, detecting PTSD in older adults is critically important so that possibly hidden or masked trauma symptoms can be addressed in treatment, even if there are complicating factors such as a CVA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bas van Alphen
- Mondriaan Hospital, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Free University of Brussels (VUB), Belgium
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