A pilot randomized controlled trial of cognitive restructuring for PTSD and alcohol misuse following recent sexual...

Sexual assault is a pervasive problem, particularly for US college women. Although many recover naturally, a significant minority develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or alcohol misuse. Intervening acutely can prevent chronic psychopathology from developing. This study tested the efficacy of a newly developed one-session + four coaching call intervention (BRITE) adapted from Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an evidence-based treatment for chronic PTSD. Individuals over 18, who identified as female, with symptoms of PTSD and alcohol misuse were recruited within 10 weeks of sexual assault for a RCT comparing BRITE to symptom monitoring. Participants (N = 57) were young (M = 21.63 years) and predominately White (61.4 %). PTSD and alcohol use were assessed at baseline, weekly for 5 weeks, and at 3-month follow-up by masked evaluators. Participants assigned to BRITE reported significantly less PTSD symptoms (d = 2.69; 95 % CI: 1.92, 3.45) than symptom monitoring (d = 1.19; 95 % CI: 0.59, 1.79), when comparing baseline vs. 3-month follow-up. For alcohol misuse, participants reported fewer drinks per drinking day from baseline to 3-month follow-up in BRITE (d = 0.63 (95 % CI: 0.05, 1.20) and symptom monitoring (d = 0.13; 95 % CI: -0.42, 0.69) although the group difference was not significant. There was a similar pattern for other alcohol use outcomes (i.e., heavy episodic drinking frequency, alcohol use consequences). Pilot findings support this newly developed, brief, and accessible cognitive approach for promoting acute recovery with a vulnerable population. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02808468.