Study Finds Two-Week Long Exposure Therapy Effective In Treating Combat PTSD

In the study, recovering, and dealing fully with memories of traumatic events was the key to reducing symptoms.

By Carson FrameJanuary 24, 2018 9:30 am, , ,

From Texas Public Radio:

Researchers with University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio co-authored a groundbreaking study on post-traumatic stress disorder published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study found a common therapy proven effective for civilians also works for service members with combat PTSD.

Prolonged exposure therapy led to reduced symptoms and loss of the PTSD diagnosis in about half of the study’s participants.

Edna Foa, professor of clinical psychology with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, led the study. It was conducted at Fort Hood in Killeen, in collaboration with Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. The study involved 370 active duty service members, making it the largest clinical trial for the treatment of PTSD in history.

Alan Peterson, professor of psychiatry with UT Health San Antonio and one of the lead investigators in the study, said prolonged exposure works by having patients safely recall and confront traumatic memories.

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