TY - JOUR
T1 - Effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
AU - LoSavio, Stefanie T.
AU - Worley, Courtney B.
AU - Aajmain, Syed T.
AU - Rosen, Craig S.
AU - Stirman, Shannon Wiltsey
AU - Sloan, Denise M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© (2023). All Rights Reserved.
PY - 2021/10/28
Y1 - 2021/10/28
N2 - Objective: Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to be efficacious in clinical trials; however, research is needed to determine WET’s effectiveness in clinical practice settings. Additionally, research is needed to understand whether patient characteristics or treatment delivery format moderate outcomes. Method: Patient outcomes (n = 277) were assessed as part of a multisite training and implementation program in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). During treatment, patients completed self-report measures of PTSD, depression, and functional impairment. Patient characteristics (i.e., demographics, psychiatric comorbidity, trauma type) and treatment delivery format (i.e., telehealth vs. in-person) were assessed as treatment moderators. Results: Intent-totreat analyses indicated that WET was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms (d =.84), depression symptoms (d =.47), and functional impairment (d =.36) during treatment. Approximately one quarter of patients dropped out of treatment prematurely. No moderators of PTSD treatment outcome were observed; however, telehealth delivery was associated with lower dropout. Conclusions: WET was an effective approach across a range of patient characteristics in this sample of veterans with PTSD. WET was also effective whether delivered in-person or via telehealth. WET is a promising treatment option for veteran patients in VA clinical care settings.
AB - Objective: Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to be efficacious in clinical trials; however, research is needed to determine WET’s effectiveness in clinical practice settings. Additionally, research is needed to understand whether patient characteristics or treatment delivery format moderate outcomes. Method: Patient outcomes (n = 277) were assessed as part of a multisite training and implementation program in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). During treatment, patients completed self-report measures of PTSD, depression, and functional impairment. Patient characteristics (i.e., demographics, psychiatric comorbidity, trauma type) and treatment delivery format (i.e., telehealth vs. in-person) were assessed as treatment moderators. Results: Intent-totreat analyses indicated that WET was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms (d =.84), depression symptoms (d =.47), and functional impairment (d =.36) during treatment. Approximately one quarter of patients dropped out of treatment prematurely. No moderators of PTSD treatment outcome were observed; however, telehealth delivery was associated with lower dropout. Conclusions: WET was an effective approach across a range of patient characteristics in this sample of veterans with PTSD. WET was also effective whether delivered in-person or via telehealth. WET is a promising treatment option for veteran patients in VA clinical care settings.
KW - Written Exposure Therapy
KW - effectiveness
KW - posttraumatic stress disorder
KW - telemental health
KW - veterans
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U2 - 10.1037/tra0001148
DO - 10.1037/tra0001148
M3 - Article
C2 - 34726451
AN - SCOPUS:85119294880
SN - 1942-9681
VL - 15
SP - 748
EP - 756
JO - Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
JF - Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
IS - 5
ER -