Randomized trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
The authors conducted a randomized clinical trial of individual psychotherapy for women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood sexual abuse (n = 74), comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with a problem-solving therapy (present-centered therapy; PCT) and to a wait-list (WL). The authors hypothesized that CBT would be more effective than PCT and WL in decreasing PTSD and related symptoms. CBT participants were significantly more likely than PCT participants to no longer meet criteria for a PTSD diagnosis at follow-up assessments. CBT and PCT were superior to WL in decreasing PTSD symptoms and secondary measures. CBT had a significantly greater dropout rate than PCT and WL. Both CBT and PCT were associated with sustained symptom reduction in this sample.
McDonagh
Annmarie
A
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, VT, USA. annmarie.s.mcdonagh-coyle@dartmouth.edu
Friedman
Matthew
M
McHugo
Gregory
G
Ford
Julian
J
Sengupta
Anjana
A
Mueser
Kim
K
Demment
Christine Carney
CC
Fournier
Debra
D
Schnurr
Paula P
PP
Descamps
Monica
M
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data