Outcomes of an Intensive Trauma Treatment Program for Military Service Members and Veterans

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To investigate the effectiveness of an accelerated treatment program in reducing psychiatric and cognitive complaints in military veterans with history of TBI. <h3>Design</h3> Participants were surveyed prior to and after attending a 2-week daily treatment program. Each treatment cohort consists of between 8-12 participants. <h3>Setting</h3> Institutional practice; outpatient clinic. <h3>Participants</h3> 133 military service members and veterans admitted to 2-week intensive treatment program. <h3>Interventions</h3> 2-weeks of daily interventions including group therapy, individual cognitive rehabilitation or cognitive behavioral therapy, expressive art therapies, and additional medical follow-up. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Self- report on PTSD Symptom Checklist (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement (PROMIS). <h3>Results</h3> There was a significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD (t(129)= 10.78, p< 0.001, d=0.97), depression (t(128)= 10.37, p< 0.001, d=0.91), and cognitive complaints t(124)= 10.99, p< 0.001, d=0.99). Additionally, following program completion, participants reported a significant increase in satisfaction with work (t(131)= -8.89, p< 0.001, d=- 0.78) and satisfaction with one's family role (t(132)= -5.74, p< 0.001, d=-0.50). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Results demonstrate the acceptability and effectiveness of the program in treatment of mTBI, in that there was a significant reduction in self-reported depression, PTSD symptoms, and cognitive complaints, and related improvements in quality of life. Further research into mechanisms contributing to this reduction are recommended, given the high levels of comorbidity between psychiatric diagnoses in this population. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> No disclosures to report.