title: More than symptom reduction: changes in executive function over the course of PTSD treatment.
abstract: Persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have neuropsychological impairments in multiple cognitive domains, though particularly in executive function. This exploratory study examined whether these cognitive impairments were alleviated following trauma-focused treatment. Fifteen women underwent neuropsychological testing within a week of treatment onset and approximately 3 months later. Results suggest medium-sized improvement in multiple aspects of executive function, including tests of cognitive flexibility/set-shifting and organization/planning. If replicated in larger samples, such findings raise the possibility that treatment may alleviate neuropsychological impairment in persons with PTSD and thus reduce risk for poor outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Kent State University and Cincinnati VA Medical Center, 3200 Vine Street, Mental Health Care Line A926, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, USA. kwalter2@kent.edu
authors.forename: Kristen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunstad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009820:Ohio; D011613:Psychotherapy; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation