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Fully remote intensive trauma-focused treatment for PTSD and Complex PTSD
H Bongaerts1, E M Voorendonk1,2, A Van Minnen1,2
1Research Department PSYTREC, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
|October 3, 2022
Summary
Intensive, remote trauma therapy significantly reduced symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD. Over 80% of patients no longer met PTSD criteria after treatment, with sustained results at six months.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Effectiveness of remote intensive trauma-focused therapy for Complex PTSD remains understudied.
- Investigating a brief, fully remote treatment for both PTSD and Complex PTSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of a remote intensive trauma-focused treatment program.
- To evaluate symptom reduction and diagnostic status changes in patients with PTSD and Complex PTSD.
Main Methods:
- A 4-day intensive program combining prolonged exposure, EMDR, physical activities, and psycho-education.
- 73 patients diagnosed with PTSD (70 assessed for Complex PTSD); outcomes measured by CAPS-5, PCL-5, and ITQ.
- Complex PTSD and Disturbances in Self-Organization (DSO) were assessed using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ).
Main Results:
- Significant pre- to post-treatment decreases in CAPS-5, PCL-5, and ITQ-DSO scores (Cohen's ds 2.12, 1.59, 1.18).
- Symptom reduction was maintained at six-month follow-up.
- 82.2% no longer met PTSD criteria; Complex PTSD diagnoses decreased from 47.1% to 10.1% post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Brief, fully remote intensive trauma-focused treatment is feasible and safe.
- This approach leads to substantial reductions in PTSD and Complex PTSD symptoms.
- The treatment demonstrated significant efficacy in improving patient outcomes.
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