Cognitive behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in women: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is elevated among women who have served in the military, but no prior study has evaluated treatment for PTSD in this population. Prior research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is a particularly effective treatment for PTSD.


OBJECTIVE
To compare prolonged exposure, a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, with present-centered therapy, a supportive intervention, for the treatment of PTSD.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial of female veterans (n=277) and active-duty personnel (n=7) with PTSD recruited from 9 VA medical centers, 2 VA readjustment counseling centers, and 1 military hospital from August 2002 through October 2005.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to receive prolonged exposure (n = 141) or present-centered therapy (n = 143), delivered according to standard protocols in 10 weekly 90-minute sessions.


METHODS
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity was the primary outcome. Comorbid symptoms, functioning, and quality of life were secondary outcomes. Blinded assessors collected data before and after treatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Women who received prolonged exposure experienced greater reduction of PTSD symptoms relative to women who received present-centered therapy (effect size, 0.27; P = .03). The prolonged exposure group was more likely than the present-centered therapy group to no longer meet PTSD diagnostic criteria (41.0% vs 27.8%; odds ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.96; P = .01) and achieve total remission (15.2% vs 6.9%; odds ratio, 2.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-5.37; P = .01). Effects were consistent over time in longitudinal analyses, although in cross-sectional analyses most differences occurred immediately after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged exposure is an effective treatment for PTSD in female veterans and active-duty military personnel. It is feasible to implement prolonged exposure across a range of clinical settings.


BACKGROUND
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00032617.
Schnurr
Paula P
PP
National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, White River Junction, Vt 05009, USA. Paula.Schnurr@Dartmouth.edu
Friedman
Matthew J
MJ
Engel
Charles C
CC
Foa
Edna B
EB
Shea
M Tracie
MT
Chow
Bruce K
BK
Resick
Patricia A
PA
Thurston
Veronica
V
Orsillo
Susan M
SM
Haug
Rodney
R
Turner
Carole
C
Bernardy
Nancy
N
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology