A randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of providing self-help information to people with symptoms of acute stress disorder following a traumatic injury.
BACKGROUND
Patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) may develop long-term psychological difficulties. Psycho-education has been suggested to reduce the risk of post-injury disorders.


OBJECTIVE
We tested the efficacy of providing self-help information to a high-risk sample.


METHODS
A&E attenders were screened for acute stress disorder and randomised to two groups: patients (n=116) receiving a self-help booklet and those who did not (n=111). A sample of 'low' scorers was also included (n=120); they did not receive a booklet. Psychological assessments were completed at baseline (within 1 month post-injury) and 3 and 6 months post-injury.


RESULTS
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression decreased (p<0.001) across time but there were no group differences in these measures or quality of life. However, subjective ratings of the usefulness of the self-help booklet were very high.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial failed to support the efficacy of providing self-help information, as a preventative strategy to ameliorate PTSD.
Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, Western Bank, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK. cscholes@nhs.net
Cathy
C
Scholes
Graham
G
Turpin
Suzanne
S
Mason
D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control; D040701:Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute / Q000534:rehabilitation*