Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military Populations: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Military and Veteran populations experience higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to civilians. While trauma focused psychotherapies are generally recommended as first-line treatments, the effectiveness of various treatments in military populations requires further investigation.

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to synthesize the current literature regarding effectiveness of psychotherapies, pharmacotherapies, and combination treatments for PTSD in military populations.

Data Sources: This preregistered review (PROSPERO: CRD42021245754) was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses and Cochrane guidelines. A search was conducted using PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

Study Selection: The final sample included data from 414 studies.

Data Extraction: Full study methodologies can be found in the published protocol (Liu et al, 2021).

Results: The pooled random-effects model found effect size across all PTSD treatments (k = 712) was g=0.96, compared to g=0.45 for control conditions (k = 122). Clinician administered measures indicated larger treatment effects (g= 1.02) than self reported measures (g =0.82). Combination therapies yielded the largest effects (g =2.17), outperforming both psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies alone. No significant differences were found across control conditions.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that integrating psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies may address multiple dimensions of PTSD more effectively than monotherapies. However, these results contrast with the prioritization of trauma-informed psychotherapies over pharmacotherapies, as recommended by the 2023 US Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense guidelines. Future research should focus on subclass analyses and long-term outcomes to refine treatment strategies for PTSD in military populations. Tailoring treatment plans to individual needs remains crucial for optimizing recovery and long-term symptom management.