title: Effectiveness of prolonged exposure for PTSD in older veterans.
abstract: Exposure-based therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD, including combat-related PTSD. However, questions remain within PTSD treatment literature and among front-line clinicians about the appropriateness of exposure-based therapies for older adults. The current study examined the effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure (PE) in reducing PTSD and depression symptoms in a sample of 65 Veterans age 60 and older who were diagnosed with PTSD via structured clinical interview. In addition to within-subject repeated measure analyses, the entire intent to treat sample was compared to treatment completers. Within group d-type effect sizes across both groups were large (1.13-1.90) and the retention rate was high (85%). Importantly, no adverse medical or psychiatric events were reported over the course of the study. Results are discussed and limitations, along with future directions, are presented.
authors: Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, USA. yoderm@musc.edu
authors: Matthew S
authors: MS
authors: Yoder
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Lozano
authors: Kristy B
authors: KB
authors: Center
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Miller
authors: Ron
authors: R
authors: Acierno
authors: Peter W
authors: PW
authors: Tuerk
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*