Evaluating the Impact of a Positive Health Dialogue Tool in Veterans With PTSD: A Randomised Controlled Trial (EIPHDT)

Reinier van Arkel

Status: Completed

Conditions: PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Positive Health dialogue tool

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07285161

NL72664.068.20 (Other Identifier)

RvA_PTCZN_NL72664.068.20

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary outcome is quality of life, with secondary outcomes including PTSD symptoms, and psychosocial functioning. We hypothesise that a low-dose intervention based on empowerment and self-directed goal setting will lead to (a) measurable improvements in veterans' quality of life and (b) reduced PTSD symptoms, and improved psychosocial functioning.

Full description

Background: Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience complex and persistent symptoms that extend beyond the scope of trauma-focused treatments. The Positive Health framework offers an integrative approach to health and well-being, yet its application in veteran populations remains unexplored. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of integrating the Positive Health dialogue tool into trauma-focused treatment for veterans with PTSD. The study aimed to evaluate its impact on recovery indicators, including quality of life, PTSD symptoms, and psychosocial functioning. Methods: Forty-four veterans diagnosed with PTSD were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, which received two additional sessions using the dialogue tool alongside standard trauma-focused therapy, or a control group receiving treatment as usual. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using validated instruments, including the MANSA, PCL-5, and TRACK 2.0. Results: Although both groups showed improvements over time in PTSD symptoms and psychosocial functioning, there were no statistically significant differences found between the treatment and control groups across various recovery indicators. Conclusions: The limited scope, lack of iintegration, and timing of the intervention may have contributed to the absence of measurable effects. While the dialogue tool did not yield additional benefits beyond standard treatment, the findings underscore the need for more structured, integrated, and timely recovery-oriented interventions. Trial registration: The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Maastricht University (METc azM/UM) and registered under number NL72664.068.20 on July 7, 2020. This study was funded by the Dutch National Care System for Veterans (Landelijk Zorgsysteem voor Veteranen, LZV), which supports research aimed at improving mental health care for military veterans in the Netherlands. Corresponding author: Drs. M.M.P.A. (Maarten) Muskens: Psychotraumacentrum Zuid-Nederland; address: Bethaniestraat 10, 5211JL 's- Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; phone: [phone]; email: Maarten. [e-mail]

Enrollment: 44 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 64 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• A formal PTSD diagnosis
• At the start of treatment
• Aged 18 until 64
• Reading, writing, and speaking Dutch

Exclusion criteria

• Alcohol or drug dependency
• Severe cognitive impairments (e.g., dementia)
• Acute suicide risk, as assessed during the intake procedure

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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44 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention group

Experimental group

Description:

Positive Health dialogue tool

Treatment:

Behavioral: Positive Health dialogue tool

Control group

No Intervention group