title: Combat-Related Multifaceted Trauma-Focused Group Therapy: A Pilot Study.
abstract: The efficacy of combat-related trauma-focused group therapy (TFGT) was tested using a unique technique that combines principles from prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and art therapy. Eighty Israeli male veterans exposed to traumatic events participated in the study. They were divided into eight therapeutic groups led by four pairs of trained therapists. Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms and levels of functioning were taken at pretherapy, end of therapy, and 6 months posttherapy. Analyses found that therapy helped in reducing posttraumatic and depressive symptoms at the end of therapy and at 6 months follow-up. It also showed that patients' functioning had significantly improved by the end of therapy and at 6 months follow-up. A significant clinical change in each parameter over time was also observed. In conclusion, the study provides preliminary evidence that combat-related TFGT may be efficacious in reducing psychological suffering and enhancing actual functioning. Follow-up randomized controlled trials to determine treatment efficacy are needed.
authors.affiliation: *Social Work Department, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer; †Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University; ‡Mental Health Division, Israel Defense Forces, Medical Corps, Ramat Gan; and §Psychological Services, The Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Ofir
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: Vlad
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Svetlitsky
authors.forename: Sergei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zusmanovitz
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parasha
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoval-Zuckerman
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Afik
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haikin
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fruchter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult