Treatment of PTSD-Related Anger in Troops Returning From Hazardous Deployments; Annual rept. 1 Mar 2007-28 Feb 2008

摘要

Objective: The long-term goal of the research is to provide an effective intervention for the prevention of secondary and escalating effects of poor anger control associated with trauma-related anger problems. The specific objectives are to adapt an existing evidenced-based cognitive- behavioral intervention (CBI) for the treatment of anger to specific needs of military personnel returning from hazardous deployments, and to conduct a pilot study providing preliminary data on the adapted intervention. Design: There are two phases in this project. In Phase 1, protocol therapists gained experience with the cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBI) for anger control, and the manual adapted to the needs of the population. In Phase 2, participants are randomly assigned to CBI or a Supportive Therapy Control (supportive intervention, SI) condition. Each condition includes a maximum of 14 sessions, 75 minutes in length. Progress: Phase I of the study has been completed with 14 participants (12 in CBI and 2 in SI) entering treatment. Of the 12 starting CBI treatment, 8 completed all sessions. Of the 251 participants, 1 completed and 1 did not. Termination and 3 months follow up assessments have been completed for phase I completers. Phase II is in progress. Fifteen subjects have been assessed, 13 have been randomized, 12 started treatment (6 CBI and 6 SI). Of the 6 CBI subjects, 4 have completed and 2 are in progress. Of the 6 SI subjects, 3 have completed, one dropped after 5 sessions, and 2 are in progress. Termination and 3 month follow-up assessments are completed as they are due. Findings: Phase I CBI participants who completed treatment showed significant improvement on the four anger indices. Although very preliminary, findings are encouraging for the efficacy of CBI for the treatment of anger symptoms following deployment related trauma.