Randomized controlled comparison of cognitive behavior therapy with Rogerian supportive therapy in chronic post-traumatic stress disorder: a 2-year follow-up.
BACKGROUND
To date, there have been no studies comparing cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with Rogerian therapy in post-traumatic stress disorder.


METHODS
Sixty outpatients with DSM-IV chronic post-traumatic stress disorder were randomized into two groups for 16 weekly individual sessions of CBT or Rogerian supportive therapy (ST) at two centers. No medication was prescribed. Measures included the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Scale (PCLS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Quality of Life. The general criterion of improvement (GCI) was a score of less than 44 on the PCLS.


RESULTS
Forty-two patients were evaluated at post-test, 38 at week 52 and 25 at week 104. At post-test, the rate of patients leaving the trial due to worsening or lack of effectiveness was significantly higher in the ST group (p = 0.004). At this point, no between-group difference was found on the GCI and any of the rating scales. Intent-to-treat analysis found no difference for the GCI, but patients in the CBT group showed greater improvement on the PCLS and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Naturalistic follow-up showed sustained improvement without between-group differences at weeks 52 and 104.


CONCLUSIONS
CBT retained significantly more patients in treatment than ST, but its effects were equivalent to those of ST in the completers. CBT was better in the dimensional intent-to-treat analysis at post-test.
Cottraux
Jean
J
Anxiety Disorder Unit, Hôpital Neurologique, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France. cottraux@univ-lyon1.fr
Note
Ivan
I
Yao
Sai Nan
SN
de Mey-Guillard
Chantal
C
Bonasse
Françoise
F
Djamoussian
Diane
D
Mollard
Evelyne
E
Note
Brigitte
B
Chen
Yaohua
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines