Exposure-related cortisol predicts outcome of psychotherapy in veterans with treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder

Background

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning has been related to treatment outcome in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies have primarily focused on cortisol levels before and after a course of therapy and findings have not been fully consistent. This study investigated session-related cortisol levels in veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD over the course of a novel motion-assisted virtual reality exposure therapy and aimed to determine whether cortisol levels were related to changes in PTSD symptom severity.

 

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A systematic review of factors associated with outcome of psychological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder

Objective

 

Psychological interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not always effective and can leave some individuals with enduring symptoms. Little is known about factors that are associated with better or worse treatment outcome. Our objective was to address this gap.

 

Method

 

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Trauma‐Specific Treatment for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities : A Review of the Literature From 2008 to 2018

Background

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at increased risk for adverse experiences and developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, trauma and PTSD in this population are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Despite the availability of multiple types of trauma‐specific treatments for the general population, there is a gap in understanding these collective interventions within the IDD literature.

 

Specific Aims

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Advances in PTSD Treatment Delivery : Review of Findings and Clinical Considerations for the Use of Telehealth Interventions for PTSD

Purpose of review

Effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain underutilized and individuals with PTSD often have difficulty accessing care. Telehealth, particularly clinical videoconferencing (CVT), can overcome barriers to treatment and increase access to care for individuals with PTSD. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on the delivery of PTSD treatments through office-based and home-based videoconferencing, and outline areas for future research.

Recent findings

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Multi-Modal Virtual-Reality Based Treatment for Canadian Armed Forces Members with Combat- Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder:A Computer- Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) Waitlist Controlled Staggered Entry Study Protocol

Background: Military members (MMs), including Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Service members (SMs), and Veterans are at elevated risk of experiencing occupational traumas which can cause operational stress injuries (OSIs) including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and moral injury (MI). Traditional evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions can be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. Some MMs and Veterans, however, are less responsive to these treatments and considered to have Treatment-Resistant PTSD (TR-PTSD).

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Experiences with medical cannabis in the treatment of veterans with PTSD : Results from a focus group discussion.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an often chronic condition for which currently available medications have limited efficacy. Medical cannabis is increasingly used to treat patients with PTSD; however, evidence for the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids is scarce. To learn more about patients' opinions on and experiences with medical cannabis, we organized a focus group discussion among military veterans (N = 7) with chronic PTSD who were treated with medical cannabis.

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Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD

Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP) has been recognized as one evidence-based treatment for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinicians interested in reducing symptoms and helping patients understand their traumatic experiences often resonate with BEPP as a treatment option. BEPP is a 16-session, manualized treatment specially designed for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. When first developed, BEPP was used and evaluated for treating police officers with PTSD in the Netherlands.

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The effects of PTSD treatment during pregnancy : systematic review and case study

Background: PTSD in pregnant women is associated with adverse outcomes for mothers and their children. It is unknown whether pregnant women with PTSD, or symptoms of PTSD, can receive targeted treatment that is safe and effective.

Objective: The purpose of the present paper was to assess the effectiveness and safety of treatment for (symptoms of) PTSD in pregnant women.

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Contextualising therapeutic care for child survivors of sexual violence in situations of war : a reflection on theory, context and practice

In this article, the author sought to raise awareness of and discuss ways to effectively address contextual challenges faced by mental health workers who provide therapeutic services to child rape survivors in war-affected regions, in general, and in the cultural context of the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular, where rape is considered a sexual taboo, causing or amplifying attachment issues for survivors. A qualitative analysis of current literature review and therapeutic practice has been conducted in this article.

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Randomised controlled trial of multi-modular motion-assisted memory desensitisation and reconsolidation (3MDR) for male military veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder

Objective
To explore the potential efficacy of multi-modular motion-assisted memory desensitisation and reprocessing (3MDR) in British military veterans with treatment-resistant, service-related PTSD.
 

Methods
Exploratory single-blind, randomised, parallel arm, cross-over controlled trial with nested process evaluation to assess fidelity, adherence and factors that influence outcome.
 

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