Comparison of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for Treatment of Symptoms of PTSD and Sexual Trauma Between Civilian and Military Adults.
OBJECTIVE
First-line psychotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were principally validated in civilian populations. We compared treatment of symptoms of psychological trauma between civilian and military adults by use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an emerging, brief exposure-based therapy.


METHODS
We pooled individual patient data from two recently completed studies of ART. Treatment response for symptoms of PTSD was compared by civilian versus military status, stratified by gender and history of sexual trauma.


RESULTS
Mean age was 40.7 years in civilians (n = 62) vs. 42.2 years in military participants (n = 51). Mean PCL (PTSD) scores before/after treatment with ART were 53.2/30.2 among civilians compared with 56.0/40.5 among military participants (adjusted p = 0.25). Over follow-up (n = 91), there was an apparent greater reduction among civilians in Intrusive (p = 0.03) and Numbing symptoms (p = 0.01), but not in Arousal (p = 0.99) or Avoidance (p = 0.19) symptoms. Among females with sexual trauma, mean reductions on the PCL were substantial in civilian (-22.5 ± 16.7) and military (-21.2 ± 12.7) participants (p = 0.87).


CONCLUSIONS
In an average of <4 treatment sessions, treatment with ART results in meaningful reductions in symptoms of PTSD in civilian and military patients. The suggestion of stronger response among civilians may owe to differential clinical presentation and trauma exposure history among military personnel.
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Kevin E
KE
Kip
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Diego F
DF
Hernandez
Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119-284.
Amy
A
Shuman
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Ann
A
Witt
Departments of Psychology and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Center for Preclinical/Clinical Research on PTSD, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave (PCD 4118G), Tampa, FL 33620.
David M
DM
Diamond
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Sheryl
S
Davis
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Ryan
R
Kip
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Alisha
A
Abhayakumar
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Trudy
T
Wittenberg
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Sue Ann
SA
Girling
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Steve
S
Witt
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDN, Room 2010, Tampa, FL 33612.
Laney
L
Rosenzweig
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States