Comparison of Accelerated Resolution Therapy for PTSD Between Veterans With and Without Prior PTSD Treatment

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Military Health

Background:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant concern for service members and veterans.
• Current first-line treatments like CPT and PE can be lengthy and costly.
• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an emerging, brief mind-body psychotherapy for PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of ART in treating military-related PTSD.
• To compare ART outcomes across different prior treatment groups, including those with residual symptoms.
• To assess symptom changes in PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep.

Main Methods:

• 148 veterans/service members with PTSD were treated with ART.
• Participants were stratified into four groups based on prior treatment: treatment-naïve, pharmacotherapy only, first-line psychotherapy, and other psychotherapy.
• Assessments included the PCL-M, depression, anxiety, and sleep symptoms at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• ART completion rate was 71.6% (106/148) in a mean of 3.5 sessions.
• Large effect sizes for PTSD symptom reduction were observed across all groups.
• Clinically significant treatment response rates were high, particularly in treatment-naïve (83%) and first-line psychotherapy (88%) groups.
• Symptom reductions in depression and anxiety were significant and sustained at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• ART demonstrates substantial efficacy in reducing PTSD symptoms among veterans.
• The therapy is effective even for individuals with residual symptoms after prior treatments.
• ART presents a viable, potentially first-line treatment option for veterans with PTSD.