Complementary and alternative medicine in VA specialized PTSD treatment programs

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• Mental health services research
• Veterans health

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly recognized for its potential role in managing chronic conditions.
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects a significant number of veterans, necessitating diverse treatment approaches.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides specialized treatment programs for veterans with PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the types and prevalence of CAM treatments offered within VA specialized PTSD treatment programs.
• To identify which CAM modalities are integrated into conventional PTSD care and which are supplementary.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to program coordinators at 170 VA specialized PTSD treatment programs.
• Data were collected from 125 programs regarding the provision of 32 different CAM treatments.
• Surveys were completed between September 2010 and March 2011.

Main Results:

• Nearly all (96%) VA specialized PTSD programs reported offering at least one CAM treatment.
• A large majority (88%) provided CAM treatments beyond those typically integrated into conventional PTSD care, such as guided imagery or relaxation therapies.
• This indicates broad adoption of a wide range of CAM interventions.

Conclusions:

• The extensive integration of CAM treatments in VA PTSD programs offers a valuable opportunity for research.
• Further investigation is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of CAM on mental health service utilization and PTSD symptom reduction in veterans.
• Future research should focus on tailoring CAM interventions to the specific needs of veterans diagnosed with PTSD.