A Trial of Group Psychotherapy for Veterans and Military Personnel With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

University of Arizona

Status: Completed

Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Insomnia Disorder; Depression

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Social Rhythm Group Therapy; Behavioral: Present Centered Group Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT00984698

W81XWH-08-2-0121

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of group psychotherapy designed specifically for male veterans and active-duty personnel with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and with disturbances in their sleep or daily routine.

Full description

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a group psychotherapy designed specifically for male veterans and active-duty personnel with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and with disturbances in their sleep or daily routine. We will compare two group therapies, one of which has been examined in previous studies for veterans with PTSD. Both group therapies have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in some veterans. However, neither group therapy has been proven to be more effective than treatment as usual for PTSD.

Enrollment: 115 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Veteran or active duty military personnel
• Current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), at least moderate severity
• Criterion A exposure to trauma occurring after the age of 18
• Major depressive disorder (MDD), at least moderate severity
• Disturbances in sleep (primary insomnia, insomnia related to PTSD, or nightmare disorder) or daily routine

Exclusion criteria

• Current or past bipolar disorder
• Current psychotic disorder
• Substance abuse/dependence in last 30 days
• Uncontrolled serious medical condition or neurological disorder
• Currently working an overnight shift
• Primary untreated sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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115 participants in 2 patient groups

Structured Therapy

Experimental group

Description:

Cognitive Behavioral Social Rhythm Group Therapy is designed to improve mood and sleep by stabilizing social rhythms, increasing exposure to ambient light, changing dysfunctional bed/bedtime associations, activating the imagery system by changing nightmare content, and challenging dysfunctional automatic thoughts that might contribute to behavioral inactivation and nonadherence to the therapy protocol. There is no discussion of past traumatic events.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Social Rhythm Group Therapy

Unstructured Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Present Centered Group Therapy includes education about the typical symptoms and features associated with PTSD and MDD, with a focus on how these symptoms affect interpersonal relationships. It uses the group format to decrease isolation, normalize symptoms, and provide the experience of giving and receiving support. Some relaxation training is provided early in therapy. There is no discussion of past traumatic events.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Present Centered Group Therapy