In a large-scale randomised controlled trial, researchers from the UK and Sweden have shown that internet-mediated cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide results for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that are in line with conventional face-to-face care. The article, which was recently published in Lancet Psychiatry, also shows that the time required for therapists is greatly reduced, which could mean that more patients can be treated and have access to the right help.
Common symptoms include reliving the trauma, overexcitement, avoidance and emotional and cognitive consequences, such as depression and difficulty concentrating. Psychological treatment in the form of CBT has been shown to have good effects in PTSD, but access to care is limited and varies between different places.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric diagnosis that affects about 5-10% of the population. PTSD occurs as a result of experiencing – or witnessing – severe, life-threatening and traumatic events, such as abuse, war, accidents and mistreatment.
The study recruited 217 participants through the NHS or self-referral. Mean age was 36·36 years, with a range 18–71 years; 158 (73%) self-reported as female, 57 (26%) as male, and two (1%) as other. Of these, 52 (24%) participants met self-reported criteria for ICD-11 complex PTSD. The advantages in outcome for internet-mediated therapy were greater for participants with high dissociation or complex PTSD symptoms, and mediation analyses showed both treatments worked by changing negative meanings of the trauma, unhelpful coping, and flashback memories. No serious adverse events were reported.
Source: Karolinska Institutet
