Early intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case series
<strong>Objectives: <br></strong> Trauma-focussed psychological interventions are the treatments of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As many clinical services receive high demand for PTSD interventions, strategies to improve treatment efficiency are needed. Some pe...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023
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| _version_ | 1797109836664537088 |
|---|---|
| author | Thew, G Wild, J Ehlers, A |
| author_facet | Thew, G Wild, J Ehlers, A |
| author_sort | Thew, G |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | <strong>Objectives: <br></strong>
Trauma-focussed psychological interventions are the treatments of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As many clinical services receive high demand for PTSD interventions, strategies to improve treatment efficiency are needed. Some people seek help in the early phase post-trauma, including as soon as the first few months. It is unclear whether all components of trauma-focussed CBT are needed in this initial stage. Providing brief intervention in this early phase without work on trauma memories may be feasible and effective. This service evaluation study describes a case series of five participants experiencing PTSD following recent traumas.
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Methods:<br></strong>
Participants completed a shortened 6-week form of Internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (iCT-PTSD), which used fewer treatment modules and focussed primarily on psychoeducation about PTSD, and two key treatment components, ‘reclaiming your life’ and trigger discrimination. Unlike the full course of iCT-PTSD, this format did not include working directly with trauma memories.
<br><strong>
Results: <br></strong>
The intervention was associated with large reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety at the 6-week timepoint, which were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Scores on the composite PTSD measure showed an average reduction of 91% between baseline and end of follow-up. One client required an extension to the weekly phase of treatment and received further treatment modules. All were discharged after follow-up and did not require further treatment.
<br><strong>
Conclusions: <br></strong>
The findings provide preliminary evidence that this briefer format of iCT-PTSD was of benefit for those seeking support following recent traumas. Further examination in a larger controlled study is required.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T07:45:23Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:61734ee2-eb13-429b-8cd0-49bc4e5e8344 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T07:45:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:61734ee2-eb13-429b-8cd0-49bc4e5e83442023-06-09T08:58:53ZEarly intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case seriesJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:61734ee2-eb13-429b-8cd0-49bc4e5e8344EnglishSymplectic ElementsWiley2023Thew, GWild, JEhlers, A<strong>Objectives: <br></strong> Trauma-focussed psychological interventions are the treatments of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As many clinical services receive high demand for PTSD interventions, strategies to improve treatment efficiency are needed. Some people seek help in the early phase post-trauma, including as soon as the first few months. It is unclear whether all components of trauma-focussed CBT are needed in this initial stage. Providing brief intervention in this early phase without work on trauma memories may be feasible and effective. This service evaluation study describes a case series of five participants experiencing PTSD following recent traumas. <br><strong> Methods:<br></strong> Participants completed a shortened 6-week form of Internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (iCT-PTSD), which used fewer treatment modules and focussed primarily on psychoeducation about PTSD, and two key treatment components, ‘reclaiming your life’ and trigger discrimination. Unlike the full course of iCT-PTSD, this format did not include working directly with trauma memories. <br><strong> Results: <br></strong> The intervention was associated with large reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety at the 6-week timepoint, which were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Scores on the composite PTSD measure showed an average reduction of 91% between baseline and end of follow-up. One client required an extension to the weekly phase of treatment and received further treatment modules. All were discharged after follow-up and did not require further treatment. <br><strong> Conclusions: <br></strong> The findings provide preliminary evidence that this briefer format of iCT-PTSD was of benefit for those seeking support following recent traumas. Further examination in a larger controlled study is required. |
| spellingShingle | Thew, G Wild, J Ehlers, A Early intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case series |
| title | Early intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case series |
| title_full | Early intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case series |
| title_fullStr | Early intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case series |
| title_full_unstemmed | Early intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case series |
| title_short | Early intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet-delivered cognitive therapy: a pilot case series |
| title_sort | early intervention in post traumatic stress disorder without exposure to trauma memories using internet delivered cognitive therapy a pilot case series |
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