Treatment for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder: two-year follow-up

J Trauma Stress. 2006 Oct;19(5):675-85. doi: 10.1002/jts.20155.

Abstract

This study reports on outcomes 2 years following completion of specialist veteran posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment programs in 2,223 (reduced to 1,508 at 24 months) consecutive admissions. Self-report measures of PTSD, anxiety, depression, anger, alcohol use, and general functioning were obtained at admission, 6, 12, and 24 months after admission. Significant improvements were demonstrated at 6 months, with smaller gains continuing through to 24-month assessment. Within subject effect sizes of around 0.8 were obtained for PTSD and around 0.5 for anxiety and depression. Although lack of a control group limits the extent to which improvements can be attributed to the treatment program, the data suggest that specialized treatment programs for combat-related PTSD continue to be of value.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Anger
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Australia
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Combat Disorders / diagnosis
  • Combat Disorders / psychology
  • Combat Disorders / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Admission
  • Patient Dropouts / psychology
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Vietnam Conflict*