title: Behavioral activation as a primary care-based treatment for PTSD and depression among returning veterans.
abstract: This preliminary study examined treatment-satisfaction and potential therapeutic benefits of Behavioral Activation as a primary care-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. Eight veterans were enrolled, 6 completed at least 4 sessions, and 5 veterans completed posttreatment and 3-month follow-up assessments after receiving 5-8 weekly sessions of Behavioral Activation delivered in a specialty postdeployment primary care clinic. Significant and meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms were found on structured clinical assessments and self-report measures. Posttraumatic stress disorder treatment gains (measured by structured clinical assessments) were maintained at 3-month follow-up. The majority of veterans demonstrated meaningful improvements on depression and quality of life and veterans reported a high satisfaction with treatment.
authors.affiliation: VA Puget Sound Health Care System, VISN-20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, and University of Washington, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. matthew.jakupcak@va.gov
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakupcak
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Autumn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: Alethea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varra
authors.forename: Miles
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McFall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012056:Reinforcement, Social; D012934:Social Isolation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*