Quality of life following treatment for PTSD: Comparison of videoconferencing and in-person modalities

Abstract

Introduction Quality of life (QOL) is significantly impaired among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, few treatment outcome studies examine QOL following treatment. Furthermore, the use of videoconferencing to deliver evidence-based treatments for PTSD is increasing dramatically. Although videoconferencing has demonstrated non-inferiority to in-person treatment modalities for improving PTSD symptom severity, no studies to date have directly compared QOL outcomes of an evidence-based intervention delivered via videoconferencing to one delivered in-person. Methods This study presents a secondary data analysis of two randomized controlled trials comparing cognitive processing therapy (CPT) delivered via videoconferencing or a traditional in-person modality. The Men’s study delivered group CPT to 125 male veterans with PTSD, whereas the Women’s study delivered individuals CPT to 126 female civilians and veterans. Multigroup latent growth curve models were used to model changes in QOL Inventory (QOLI) scores over time. Results There was no effect of treatment modality on changes in QOLI scores over time (modality effect on slope estimate = 0.004 (–0.60, 0.61) and on quadratic estimate = 0.001 (–0.18, 0.20); all ps > 0.33). Model fit was the same for both genders (Δχ2 (2) = 2.28, p = 0.32) and for the gender × treatment modality interaction (Δχ2 (2) = 2.87, p = 0.24). QOLI scores improved at post-treatment and three-month follow-up assessments, but declined at the six-month follow-up assessment. Discussion This secondary analysis extends the findings of the parent studies by establishing the efficacy of the videoconferencing platform in improving QOL. Clinical implications of findings are discussed.