title: Self-monitoring of reexperiencing symptoms: a randomized trial.
abstract: The efficacy of a brief intervention to self-monitor reexperiencing symptoms was evaluated in 137 U.S. combat veterans with PTSD who were enrolled in 5-week psychoeducation groups at a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Groups were randomized to psychoeducation alone (Education Control, n = 50) or psychoeducation plus intrusion monitoring (Education + Monitoring, n = 87). Education + Monitoring participants were asked to make a daily record of the number and content of nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive trauma-related thoughts, and physiological and emotional reactions to triggers. Avoidance symptoms were reduced in both conditions (η(2)  = .093), with no additional benefit from intrusion monitoring (η(2)  = .001). Compliance with intrusion monitoring was markedly low, which complicated the interpretation of the study findings. Even though intrusion monitoring has a strong theoretical foundation and may be an efficient and cost-effective alternative to more structured treatments for PTSD, the effect of intrusion monitoring will not be clearly understood until higher compliance can be achieved. Future work in this area should address barriers to compliance and investigate strategies for enhancing motivation to engage in self-monitoring.
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda Joelle
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Annie M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bollini
authors.forename: Linda W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Craighead
authors.forename: Millie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Astin
authors.forename: Seth Davin
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Norrholm
authors.forename: Bekh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D012648:Self Care; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology