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Attention control therapy for acute stress disorder: A randomized controlled trial
Adva Segal1, Ilan Wald1, Daniel S Pine2
1School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Depression and Anxiety
|May 23, 2020
Summary
Internet-delivered attention control therapy (ACT) did not reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk in acute stress disorder (ASD) patients compared to usual care. ACT did not improve attention bias, a key cognitive factor in PTSD development.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Acute stress disorder (ASD) affects individuals post-trauma, with about half developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Internet-delivered attention control therapy (ACT) has shown promise in reducing PTSD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of internet-delivered ACT as an add-on to usual care for patients with ASD.
- To determine if ACT can reduce the risk of developing PTSD in individuals with ASD.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 119 participants with ASD.
- Participants were assigned to either ACT or treatment as usual within one month of a traumatic event.
- Measured PTSD symptoms and attention patterns.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in stress-related symptoms or PTSD development between ACT and usual care groups.
- High attention bias variability was linked to elevated PTSD symptoms but was not affected by ACT.
- Approximately 50% of participants developed PTSD two months post-trauma.
Conclusions:
- Internet-delivered ACT was not more effective than usual care in preventing PTSD in ASD patients.
- ACT did not target the identified cognitive factor of attention bias variability.
- Further ACT research requires caution due to potential symptom worsening.
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