Collaborative Songwriting Intervention for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Creative Arts Therapies
• Military Psychology

Background:

• Veterans experience higher rates of PTSD, TBI, depression, and anxiety compared to civilians.
• Current PTSD treatments are not universally effective, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly impacts veteran well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative songwriting intervention (CSI) for veterans with PTSD.
• To explore the potential effectiveness of CSI in improving mental and physical health outcomes for veterans.
• To investigate the impact of a novel songwriting therapy on veteran mental health.

Main Methods:

• Ten veterans participated in a collaborative songwriting intervention (CSI) with a professional songwriter.
• Pre- and post-intervention measures included PTSD Checklist-Military (PCL-M) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
• Participants' physiological data (heart rate, sleep, steps) were monitored using Fitbit devices.

Main Results:

• The CSI was reported as helpful and relevant, with 95% of participants willing to refer others.
• Significant reductions in overall PTSD symptoms (d=0.869), numbing (d=0.853), and hyperarousal (d=1.077) were observed.
• Marginal decreases in depressive symptoms (d=0.72) and stress reactivity (d=0.785) were noted; no significant physiological changes occurred.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative songwriting intervention (CSI) is an acceptable and feasible treatment for veterans diagnosed with PTSD.
• CSI demonstrates potential efficacy in reducing PTSD symptom severity, particularly hyperarousal and numbing.
• This creative arts therapy offers a promising complementary approach for veteran mental healthcare.