At a glance
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Individual Prolonged Exposure (PE) Versus Couples' Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
In Brief
A Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating CBCT for PTSD and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD and Marital Relationship. Completed, enrolled 64 participants across 3 sites.
Detailed Summary
This study seeks to enroll 76 couples in which one of the members is a combat-veteran with PTSD. Each couple will be randomized into one of two cognitive-behavioral therapies developed specifically as a treatment for PTSD-either Prolonged Exposure (PE) \[1-4\] or Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy (CBCT) \[5-7\]. Whereas, PE was developed as a one-on-one therapy that focuses on treating the individual, CBCT for PTSD incorporates the partners into therapy and seeks to directly address relationship functioning while treating the PTSD symptomatology. Both partners in each couple will complete a battery of several assessments measuring various aspects of psychological distress (e.g., depression, PTSD) and relationship functioning at five time-points throughout the study. But, only the partners assigned to the CBCT group will be involved in the actual therapy sessions. Analysis will be carried out to identify whether any significant differences exist between PE and CBCT in treating PTSD and improving relationship functioning.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
CBCT consists of three phases of treatment: Phase 1: treatment orientation and education about PTSD and its related intimate relationship problems Phase 2: behavioral communication skills training Phase 3: cognitive interventions based on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
PE consists of: psychoeducation and some limited distress management training, but emphasizes the role of imaginal and in vivo exposure in treating PTSD.