Cognitive behavioural treatments have long-term benefits in female rape survivors with post-traumatic stress disorder

Question

Question: What are the long-term outcomes of cognitive behavioural treatments for female rape survivors with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Patients: 126 of the 181 adult female participants who took part in previous randomised controlled trials (refer notes), who had experienced at least one rape a minimum of 3 months prior to being enrolled in the original study. To be included in the original study, the participants had to meet PTSD criteria assessed through interviews and self-reported scales. Those with ongoing domestic violence, substance dependence, current psychosis, suicidal intent or active self-harm behaviour were excluded.

Setting: One academic centre, Missouri, USA; time period not stated.

Intervention: Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or prolonged exposure treatment (PET). Each was administered twice per week for a total of 13 h, with slight variations in configuration between the two in order to maintain protocol integrity. Both treatments consisted of on-site therapy sessions and homework.

Outcomes: Primary outcome: Self-reported PTSD symptoms (PTSD Symptom Scale). …