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Contents
- Abstract
- First-Line Treatments for PTSD
- The RTM Protocol
- Previous Research
- Purpose of the Study
- Method
- Screening and Enrollment
- Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
- Recruitment
- Therapist Training and Supervision
- Intake and Assessment
- PTSD Symptoms
- Primary PTSD Measure: PTSD Symptom Scale-Interview (PSS-I)
- Secondary PTSD Measure: PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M)
- Secondary PTSD Measure: PTSD Checklist-Stressor-Specific Version (PCL-S)
- Experimental Design and Randomization
- The RTM Protocol
- Waitlist Controls
- Data Collection
- Statistical Methods
- Results
- Data Analysis
- Other Symptom Reductions
- Flashbacks and Nightmares
- Clinically Meaningful Score Reductions
- DSM–IV Symptom Clusters
- Longitudinal Comparisons and Long-Term Treatment Stability
- Discussion
- The Nature of the Intervention
- Strengths and Limitations of the Study
- Conclusions
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Abstract
Objective: PTSD in female veterans and service members (SMs) is understudied, and new, effective treatments for PTSD are needed. Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) is a brief, manualized treatment for PTSD previously piloted in RCTs of male veterans and SMs. Here we examine RTM’s effect on military women with PTSD. Method: We report a waitlist RCT using 30 military-connected females with DSM–IV–TR PTSD diagnoses, including current-month nightmares or flashbacks. Trauma types include military sexual trauma, other sexual traumas, combat, and other trauma types. Participants were randomized to treatment or waitlist. Of those enrolled, 97% completed treatment. Independent psychometricians, blinded to treatment condition, evaluated participants at intake, postwait, and two weeks post. The clinician took follow-up measures at six months and one year. The primary measure was the PTSD Symptom Scale-Interview (PSS-I). The secondary measure was the PTSD Checklist. Participants received up to three 120-min sessions of RTM. Results: RTM eliminated intrusive symptoms and significantly decreased symptom scale ratings in 90% (n = 27) of participants, versus 0% of controls (p < .001). Two-week treatment group PSS-I scores dropped 33.9 points versus 3.9 points for postwait controls (g = 3.7; 95% CI [2.5, 4.8]; p < .001). Treatment results were stable to 1 year. Conclusions: RTM effectively treated PTSD, independent of trauma source in female SMs and veterans effectively replicating previous results in male populations. Further research is recommended.
This study presents the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tests its effectiveness for female veterans and active duty...