title: Randomised controlled trial of psychological debriefing for victims of acute burn trauma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psychological debriefing (PD) is widely used following major traumatic events in an attempt to reduce psychological sequelae.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-three adult burn trauma victims entered the study. After initial questionnaire completion, participants were randomly allocated to an individual/couple PD group or a control group who received no intervention; 110 (83%) were interviewed by an assessor blind to PD status three and 13 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen (26%) of the PD group had PTSD at 13-month follow-up, compared with four (9%) of the control group. The PD group had higher initial questionnaire scores and more severe dimensions of burn trauma than the control group, both of which were associated with a poorer outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study seriously questions the wisdom of advocating one-off interventions post-trauma, and should stimulate research into more effective initiatives.
authors.affiliation: University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff. 101454.3011@compuserve.com
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Bisson
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bannister
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome