Brief Treatment of Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by Use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART(®)).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, disabling anxiety disorder. This prospective cohort study reports on a new exposure-based therapy known as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART(®)) that incorporates the use of eye movements administered in a brief treatment period (1-5 one-hour sessions within three weeks). Eighty adults aged 21-60 years with symptoms of PTSD were recruited from the Tampa Bay area. The ART-based psychotherapy was designed to minimize anxiety and body sensations associated with recall of traumatic memories and to replace distressing images with favorable ones. Participants' mean age was 40 years, 77% were female, and 29% were Hispanic. Participants underwent a median of three ART sessions, 66 of 80 (82.5%) completed treatment, and 54 of 66 (81.8%) provided 2-month follow-up data. Mean scores pre- and post-ART and at 2-month follow-up were: PTSD Checklist: 54.5 ± 12.2 vs. 31.2 ± 11.4 vs. 30.0 ± 12.4; Brief Symptom Inventory: 30.8 ± 14.6 vs. 10.1 ± 10.8 vs. 10.1 ± 12.1; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale: 29.5 ± 10.9 vs. 11.8 ± 11.1 vs. 13.5 ± 12.1; Trauma Related Growth Inventory-Distress scale: 18.9 ± 4.1 vs. 7.4 ± 5.9 vs. 8.2 ± 5.9 (p < 0.0001 for all pre-ART vs. post-ART and 2-month comparisons). No serious adverse events were reported. ART appears to be a brief, safe, and effective treatment for symptoms of PTSD.
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Kevin E
KE
Kip
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Carrie A
CA
Elk
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Kelly L
KL
Sullivan
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Rajendra
R
Kadel
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Cecile A
CA
Lengacher
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Christopher J
CJ
Long
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Laney
L
Rosenzweig
Western New England University, Springfield, MA 01119, USA.
Amy
A
Shuman
Balanced Living Psychology, Tampa, FL 33626, USA.
Diego F
DF
Hernandez
Life Renewal Counseling, Tampa, FL 33544, USA.
Jennifer D
JD
Street
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Sue Ann
SA
Girling
Research and Development Service, VA Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.|Departments of Psychology and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Center for Preclinical and Clinical Research on PTSD, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
David M
DM
Diamond
PTSD; bilateral stimulation; brief treatment; exposure therapy; eye movements; psychological trauma