Table 6Summary of efficacy and strength of evidence of PTSD psychological treatments

TreatmentOutcomeN Trials (Subjects)FindingsSOE
Cognitive processing therapyPTSD symptomsa5 (399)14, 6Reduced PTSD symptoms

SMD −1.35 (95% CI, −1.77 to −0.94)
Moderate
Loss of PTSD diagnosis4 (299)14Greater loss of PTSD diagnosis

RD 0.44 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.62)
Moderate
Depression symptomsb5 (399)16Reduced depression symptoms

SMD −1.09 (95% CI, −1.52 to −0.65)
Moderate
Cognitive therapyPTSD symptomsa4 (283)5, 79Reduced PTSD symptoms

SMD of individual studies range from −2.0 to −0.3
Moderate
Loss of PTSD diagnosis4 (283)5, 79Greater loss of PTSD diagnosis

RD 0.55 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.82)
Moderate
Depression symptomsb4 (283)5, 79Reduced depression symptoms

Between-group mean differences of individual trials ranged from −11.1 to −8.3
Moderate
Cognitive behavioral therapy-exposurePTSD symptomsa

13 (885)3, 1021

8 (689)3, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21
Reduced PTSD symptoms

SMD −1.23 (95% CI, −1.50 to −0.97)

SMD CAPS −1.12 (95% CI, −1.42 to −0.82)
High
Loss of PTSD diagnosis6 (409)3, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21Greater loss of PTSD diagnosis

RD 0.56 (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.78)
Highc
Cognitive behavioral therapy-exposure (continued)Depression symptomsb10 (715)3, 1115, 1821Reduced depression symptoms

SMD −0.76 (95% CI, −0.91 to ‑0.60)
High
Cognitive behavioral therapy-mixedPTSD symptomsa

21 (1,349)12, 14, 2240

11 (709)22, 23, 2729, 3439
Reduced PTSD symptoms

SMD −1.01 (95% CI, −1.28 to −0.74)

SMD −1.24 (95% CI, −1.67 to −0.81)
Highc
Loss of PTSD diagnosis9 (474)2224, 3134, 39, 41Greater loss of PTSD diagnosis

RD 0.29 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.41)
Highc
Depression symptomsb15 (929)12, 14, 2224, 28, 29, 33, 3540, 42Reduced depression symptoms

SMD −0.87 (−1.14 to −0.61)
Highc
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessingPTSD symptomsa8 (449)13, 16, 4348Reduced PTSD symptoms

SMD −1.08 (95% CI, −1.82 to −0.35)
Moderated
Loss of PTSD diagnosis7 (427)13, 16, 4345, 47, 48Greater loss of PTSD diagnosis

RD 0.43 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.61)
Moderate
Depression symptomsb7 (347)13, 4348Reduced depression symptoms

SMD −0.91 (95% CI, −1.58 to ‑0.24)
Moderate
Brief eclectic psychotherapyLoss of PTSD diagnosis3 (96)4951Greater loss of PTSD diagnosis

RD of individual studies ranged from 0.13 to 0.58
Low
Depression symptomsb3 (96)4951Reduced depression symptomsLow
Imagery rehearsal therapyPTSD symptomsa1 (168)52Reduced PTSD symptoms

Between-group mean difference −21.0; p<0.05
Low
Narrative exposure therapyPTSD symptomsa3 (232)5355Reduced PTSD symptoms

SMD range from −1.95 to −0.79 across 3 individual studies
Moderate
Loss of PTSD diagnosis2 (198)53, 54Greater loss of PTSD diagnosis

RD of 0.06 and 0.43 in individual studies
Low
Seeking SafetyPTSD symptomsa3 (232)5658Reduced PTSD symptoms

SMD of individual trials ranged from −0.22 to 0.04
Low for no difference
Trauma affect regulationPTSD symptomsa2 (173)59, 60Reduced PTSD symptoms

Between-group mean difference of −17.4 and −2.7 in individual studies
Low

NOTE: Outcomes graded as insufficient are not included in this table.

a

SMD from the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale; SMD from various PTSD symptom scales.

b

SMD from the Beck Depression Inventory; SMD from various depression symptom scales.

c

SOE increased from moderate to high because of additional evidence of efficacy published since prior PTSD review.

d

SOE increased from low to moderate because of additional evidence of efficacy published since prior PTSD review.

CAPS = Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale; CI = confidence interval; N = number of subjects; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; RD = risk difference; SMD = standardized mean difference; SOE = strength of evidence.

From: Results

Cover of Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Adults With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review Update
Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Adults With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review Update [Internet].
Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 207.
Forman-Hoffman V, Middleton JC, Feltner C, et al.

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