The purpose of this study is to examine whether group cognitive behavioral treatment (GCBT) is efficacious in the treatment of PTSD in a sample of male Veterans. Veterans with a primary diagnosis of chronic PTSD will be randomly assigned to either GCBT or a supportive group treatment condition. Both treatments will consist of 14, weekly sessions. Assessment of PTSD and related symptoms will be conducted at pre-treatment, mid treatment, post-treatment, and 3-, 6-, - and 12-month follow-up.
The mental health needs of Veterans within the VA Healthcare system are notable. With the substantial increase over the past 10 years in Veterans seeking Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment services, the VA system is straining to accommodate these needs, relying heavily on group-based treatments. The proposed research will take the next step in the literature on group psychotherapy for PTSD by examining a group cognitive behavioral treatment (GCBT) program with promising pilot data. This application supports a randomized controlled trial, which will compare GCBT with Supportive Group Psychotherapy (SGP). The trial will involve 196 male Veterans with combat-related PTSD who will be randomly assigned to GCBT (n= 98) or SGP (n =98) to determine efficacy within a naturalistic care environment. Outcome data will be collected pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Two aims are included, one focusing on outcome with respect to PTSD symptom severity, the second focusing on treatment generalization to comorbid emotional disorders (major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol abuse), and distress and impairment. Data will be examined using latent growth curve modeling, with emphasis on determining efficacy and effectiveness. The information provided by the proposed project could assist in developing more effective care models for individuals with chronic PTSD from numerous traumatic experiences. Additionally, this project represents an effort to move the literature on group-based treatments for PTSD ahead, through inclusion of advanced methodological and analytic approaches.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
198
GCBT is a 14 week intervention that includes components of exposure (imaginal and in vivo), cognitive restructuring, and relapse prevention.
The active comparison treatment is a 14 week treatment that focuses on here and now problems, especially problem solving skills concerning ongoing stressors.
VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
The CAPS-5 is a semi-structured interview to assess presence and severity of PTSD symptoms. The total score on the CAPS will be used as the primary outcome measure in this study. Total score range = 0-80; higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: 12 months
Beck Depression Inventory, II (BDI-II)
The BDI is a self-report inventory that indexes depression symptom severity. Total score range = 0-63; higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: 12 months
Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)
The SF-36 is a measure of functional impairment. Total score range = 0-200; higher scores indicate greater functioning.
Time frame: 12 months
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
The BAI is a self-report measure of general anxiety symptom severity. Total score range = 0-63; higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: 12 months
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