More than symptom reduction: changes in executive function over the course of PTSD treatment

Persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have neuropsychological impairments in multiple cognitive domains, though particularly in executive function. This exploratory study examined whether these cognitive impairments were alleviated following trauma-focused treatment. Fifteen women underwent neuropsychological testing within a week of treatment onset and approximately 3 months later. Results suggest medium-sized improvement in multiple aspects of executive function, including tests of cognitive flexibility/set-shifting and organization/planning. If replicated in larger samples, such findings raise the possibility that treatment may alleviate neuropsychological impairment in persons with PTSD and thus reduce risk for poor outcome.