title: Randomized controlled trial of a brief dyadic cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to prevent PTSD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a dearth of effective interventions to prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the efficacy of a brief dyadic two-session cognitive-behavioral intervention through a controlled trial involving trauma-exposed individuals recruited at the hospital's emergency room. Participants were randomly assigned to either the dyadic intervention group (n=37) or to a waiting list (assessment only) group (n=37).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In an intent-to-treat analysis, a time-by-group interaction was found, whereby the treated participants had less PTSD symptoms at the post-treatment but not at the pre-treatment compared to controls. Controlling for the improvement observed in the control participants, the intervention yielded a net effect size of d=0.39.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brief, early, and effective intervention can be provided by nurses or social workers in hospital settings, at a fairly low cost to individuals presenting to the emergency room as the result of trauma exposure.
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Institute Research Center, Verdun, Québec, Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunet
authors.forename: Isabeau Bousquet
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Des Groseilliers
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cordova
authors.forename: Josef I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Ruzek
keywords: Canadians; Traumatic stress; cognitive-behavioral (CBT) interventions; motor vehicle accidents; secondary prevention