Evaluating transdiagnostic treatment for distress and impairment in veterans: a multi-site randomized controlled trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Contemp Clin Trials. 2012 Jan;33(1):116-23. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2011.08.007. Epub 2011 Sep 6.

Abstract

Military personnel who engaged in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq frequently present for mental health care because of the stresses of service and readjustment. Although excellent treatments are available to treat the typical presenting problems, there is a need for additional empirically supported treatment approaches for this population. Because these veterans have high levels of comorbidity, transdiagnostic treatment - treatment that applies to more than one diagnosis - may be an efficient approach for this group. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one such approach that is well-known and has high face validity for veterans, but it has not been rigorously evaluated as a treatment for trauma-related mental health problems. Described herein is an ongoing multi-site randomized clinical trial of ACT as compared to a psychotherapy control. Challenges in designing an RCT to evaluate transdiagnostic treatment and in executing a multi-site psychotherapy trial are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Afghan Campaign 2001-
  • Commitment of Mentally Ill
  • Humans
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Veterans / psychology*