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An initial review of residual symptoms after empirically supported trauma-focused cognitive behavioral psychological treatment. J Anxiety Disord 2019 Apr;63:26-35

Date

03/03/2019

Pubmed ID

30825720

DOI

10.1016/j.janxdis.2019.01.008

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85062017564 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   44 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although residual symptoms remain following clinical treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about the characteristics of these residual symptoms. We aimed to determine the type, severity, and frequency of symptoms that remain after trauma-focused psychotherapy.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of 51 randomized controlled trials of empirically supported psychosocial interventions for PTSD (68 total treatment arms). Outcomes included: 1) PTSD symptoms and 2) conditions commonly comorbid with PTSD: depression, anxiety, and quality of life impairment.

RESULTS: In general, the results revealed that participants who completed PTSD treatment continued to report residual PTSD symptoms: 31% reported clinical symptom levels, and 59% reported subthreshold levels at posttreatment, particularly within the hyperarousal cluster. Residual symptoms also emerged for depression (19% clinical), anxiety (55% clinical), and quality of life (36% clinical). Few differences emerged across treatment types, but differential patterns were revealed for sample/trauma types.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a need for focused research attention to and clinical assessment of individual residual symptoms following empirically supported treatment for PTSD to determine whether further treatment sessions are warranted.

Author List

Larsen SE, Bellmore A, Gobin RL, Holens P, Lawrence KA, Pacella-LaBarbara ML

Author

Sadie E. Larsen PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Anxiety
Depression
Humans
Quality of Life
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic