This paper lays out the research methodology and outcomes of a study that involved female assault survivors who have PTSD, to determine the outcomes of several treatment options.
This paper discusses a study that involved 171 female assault survivors with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who were randomly assigned to prolonged exposure (PE) alone, PE plus cognitive restructuring (PE/CR), or wait-list (WL). Treatment, which consisted of nine to 12 sessions, was conducted at an academic treatment center or at a community clinic for rape survivors. Evaluations were conducted before and after therapy and at three-, six-, and 12-month follow-ups. Both treatments reduced PTSD and depression in intent-to-treat and completer samples compared with the WL condition; social functioning improved in the completer sample. The addition of CR did not enhance treatment outcomes. The authors found no site differences: treatment in the hands of counselors with minimal cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) experience was as efficacious as that of CBT experts. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up, although a minority of patients received additional treatment. Publisher Abstract Provided