Cognitive–behavioural conjoint therapy versus prolonged exposure for PTSD in military service members and veterans: results and lessons from a randomized controlled trial
Creators: name: Monson, Candice M.
name: Pukay-Martin, Nicole D.
name: Wagner, Anne C.
name: Crenshaw, Alexander O.
name: Blount, Tabatha H.
name: Schobitz, Richard P.
name: Dondanville, Katherine A.
name: Young-McCaughan, Stacey
name: Mintz, Jim
name: Riggs, David S.
name: Brundige, Antoinette
name: Hembree, Elizabeth A.
name: Litz, Brett T.
name: Roache, John D.
name: Yarvis, Jeffrey S.
name: Peterson, Alan L.
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy
subject: Mental Health

description: Military personnel and veterans are at heightened risk for exposure to traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as intimate relationship problems associated with PTSD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative efficacy of CBCT and PE in improving intimate relationship functioning in active duty military personnel or veterans and their intimate partners; both conditions were hypothesized to significantly improve PTSD. Method: In this study, 32 military service members or veterans with PTSD and their intimate partners were randomized to receive either Cognitive–Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (<i>n</i> = 15; CBCT; [Monson, C. M., &amp; Fredman, S. J. (2012). Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: Harnessing the healing power of relationships. Guilford]), a trauma-focused couple therapy, or Prolonged Exposure (<i>n</i> = 17; PE; [Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., Dancu, C. V., Peterson, A. L., Cigrang, J. A., &amp; Riggs, D. S. (2008). Prolonged exposure treatment for combat-related stress disorders – provider’s treatment manual [unpublished]. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania]), a front-line evidence-based individual treatment for PTSD. There were significant challenges with recruitment and a significant difference in dropout from treatment for the two therapies (65% for PE; 27% for CBCT). Treatment dropout was differentially related to pre-treatment relationship functioning; those with below average relationship functioning had higher dropout in PE compared with CBCT, whereas those with above average relationship functioning did not show differential dropout. In general, CBCT led to relational improvements, but this was not consistently found in PE. Clinician- and self-reported PTSD symptoms improved with both treatments. This study is the first to test a couple or family therapy against a well-established, front-line recommended treatment for PTSD, with expected superiority of CBCT over PE on relationship outcomes. Lessons learned in trial design, including considerations of equipoise, and the effects of differential dropout on trial analyses are discussed. This trial provides further support for the efficacy of CBCT in the treatment of PTSD and enhancement of intimate relationships. Differential dropout from trial of couple versus individual therapy for PTSD.General pattern of improvements in relationship outcomes in couple therapy for PTSD.PTSD symptoms improved in the individual and couple therapy for PTSD.Lessons learned in trial design, including considerations of equipoise, and the effects of differential dropout by condition on trial analyses are discussed. Differential dropout from trial of couple versus individual therapy for PTSD. General pattern of improvements in relationship outcomes in couple therapy for PTSD. PTSD symptoms improved in the individual and couple therapy for PTSD. Lessons learned in trial design, including considerations of equipoise, and the effects of differential dropout by condition on trial analyses are discussed.