A therapist-assisted cognitive behavior therapy internet intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder: pre-, post- and 3-month follow-up results from an open trial

J Anxiety Disord. 2010 Aug;24(6):635-44. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.04.005. Epub 2010 Apr 18.

Abstract

This study was an open trial evaluation of a 10-week therapist-assisted cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) internet intervention (PTSD Online) undertaken with people with a primary clinical diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n=22) at pre-assessment. Participants were re-assessed at post-assessment and 3-month follow-up. Significant improvements on PTSD severity ratings and related PTSD symptomatology were observed at post-assessment and maintained at 3-month follow-up. At post-assessment, 69.2% of the sample showed clinically significant improvement and 77% of the sample at follow-up assessment. Non-significant, yet improved, change was observed on all other general psychological measures. Overall, treatment satisfaction was good (69%), participant therapeutic alliance ratings were high (87.5%), and the average total therapist time required was 194.5 min. PTSD Online appears to be an efficacious treatment option for people with PTSD that can be provided entirely remotely, with far less therapist time than traditional face-to-face treatment, and without compromising therapeutic alliance.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Patient Selection
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Remote Consultation / methods*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome