Residual symptoms following trauma-focused treatment for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder.

Despite effective psychotherapy options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), some patients do not fully respond, and even among those reporting substantial improvement, residual symptoms following treatment are common. Psychiatric conditions frequently co-occur with PTSD, yet research on residual symptoms among comorbid samples is lacking. This study examined residual symptoms of PTSD and depression among 71 active duty service members with PTSD and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD).

Examining the impact of brief couples-based posttraumatic stress disorder treatments on anger and psychological aggression in veterans and their partners.

Anger can adversely impact functioning in veterans. Psychological aggression, which is related to but distinct from anger, is particularly detrimental to veterans' mental health. Research examining anger and psychological aggression following individual therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has demonstrated small effect sizes.

Comorbidity of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder: Outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of surf and hike therapies among service members.

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are commonly comorbid mental health disorders. Exercise performed in the natural environment has shown promise in relieving symptoms of each disorder separately; however, the effectiveness has seldom been studied in comorbid populations.

Method: Data were derived from a randomized controlled trial of surf and hike therapy for active duty service members with MDD ( = 95).

PTSD, depression, and treatment outcomes: A latent profile analysis among active duty personnel in a residential PTSD program.

Depression frequently co-occurs with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including among active duty service members. However, symptom heterogeneity of this comorbidity is complex and its association with treatment outcomes is poorly understood, particularly among active duty service members in residential treatment. This study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify symptom-based subgroups of PTSD and depression among 282 male service members in a 10-week, residential PTSD treatment program with evidence-based PTSD psychotherapies and adjunctive interventions.

Gender Differences in Psychological Outcomes Following Surf versus Hike Therapy among U.S. Service Members.

Background: Surf and hike therapies have demonstrated effectiveness as adjunct interventions for service members with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study explores gender differences in intervention outcomes following a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial of Surf and Hike Therapy for service members with MDD ( = 96; men, = 46; women, = 50).

Methods: Clinician-administered and self-report measures (depression, anxiety, positive affect, negative affect, resilience, and pain) were completed at preprogram, postprogram, and 3-month follow-up; brief measures (depression/anxiety and positive affect) were completed before and after each session.

The effectiveness of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for veterans with probable posttraumatic stress disorder.

Introduction: Recreational and adaptive sports programs may be beneficial therapeutic interventions for improving psychological outcomes among veterans and service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they provide opportunities for exercise, socialization, respite, and time outdoors. Although there are an increasing number of sports programs for veterans and service members with PTSD, data evaluating the outcomes of such programs are limited.

Materials And Methods: The sample included 74 U.

Comparison of behavioral activation-enhanced cognitive processing therapy and cognitive processing therapy among U.S. service members: A randomized clinical trial.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently co-occur and can cause significant impairment. Data are lacking as to whether interventions targeting both PTSD and MDD may improve treatment outcomes among individuals with this comorbidity compared with existing evidence-based PTSD treatments alone. This randomized trial compared the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) enhanced with behavioral activation (BA+CPT) versus CPT among 94 service members (52 women and 42 men; age M = 28.

Psychological and functional outcomes following a randomized controlled trial of surf and hike therapy for U.S. service members.

Introduction: Exercise-based interventions have established benefits for the treatment of depression and other psychological outcomes; however, limited data exist evaluating psychological, social, and functional outcomes for exercise outdoors.

Methods: The current study sought to expand knowledge about the breadth of effects following outdoor exercise interventions by using data from a randomized control trial comparing Surf and Hike Therapy among 96 U.S.

A randomized controlled trial of surf and hike therapy for U.S. active duty service members with major depressive disorder.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most prevalent mental health disorder worldwide, including among U.S. service members.

A randomized trial of brief couple therapy for PTSD and relationship satisfaction.

Objective: This three-arm randomized trial tested a brief version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (bCBCT) delivered in two modalities compared to couples' psychoeducation in a sample of U.S. veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their intimate partners.

Gender differences in disorders comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder among U.S. Sailors and Marines.

Psychological comorbidity, the co-occurrence of mental health disorders, is more often the rule than the exception among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research shows that prevalence estimates for specific psychological disorders differ by gender; however, little is known about whether these patterns persist in the presence of a comorbid PTSD diagnosis. This study examined gender differences in prevalence estimates for conditions comorbid with PTSD using medical records for 523,626 active duty U.

Do older veterans experience change in posttraumatic cognitions following treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder?

Objective: It is unclear whether PTSD treatments improve negative posttraumatic cognitions (NPCs) and if changes in NPCs mediate treatment outcomes in older veterans. The current study examined if prolonged exposure therapy (PE) and relaxation therapy (RT) reduce NPCs over time in older adult veterans with PTSD.

Method: This study analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial of 86 older male veterans with PTSD randomized to PE or RT.

Gender Differences in Psychological Outcomes Following Surf Therapy Sessions among U.S. Service Members.

Surf therapy is increasingly being used as an intervention to address various health problems, including psychological symptoms. Although recent research supports the positive impact of surf therapy on psychological outcomes, it is unclear whether these outcomes differ between men and women. This study compared changes in depression/anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), positive affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), and pain (Numerical Pain Rating Scale) between U.

Virtual mental health care in the Veterans Health Administration's immediate response to coronavirus disease-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the need for psychological care in the global population and has created new barriers to accessing services. Hospitals, mental health facilities, and other clinics face the challenge of providing continued care to a population that is under severe stress, while minimizing in-person visits that risk spreading the virus. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,286 sites.

Advances in PTSD Treatment Delivery: Review of Findings and Clinical Considerations for the Use of Telehealth Interventions for PTSD.

Purpose Of Review: Effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain underutilized and individuals with PTSD often have difficulty accessing care. Telehealth, particularly clinical videoconferencing (CVT), can overcome barriers to treatment and increase access to care for individuals with PTSD. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on the delivery of PTSD treatments through office-based and home-based videoconferencing, and outline areas for future research.

The Development of a Brief Version of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-3) in Older Adult Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

: The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is an insomnia self-report measure used to identify individuals at risk for insomnia disorder. Although the full ISI is only seven questions, a briefer version would allow more efficient and pragmatic administration in routine practice settings. Reliable and valid brief measures can support measurement-based care.

The Impact of Depression Severity on Treatment Outcomes Among Older Male Combat Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are highly comorbid within the veteran population. Research studies have yielded divergent findings regarding the effect of depression on PTSD treatment outcomes. The present study investigated the influence of pretreatment depression severity on PTSD and depression symptom trajectories among 85 older (i.

Predictors of Quality of Life Following Cognitive Processing Therapy Among Women and Men With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Introduction: The effect of evidence-based post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments on quality of life (QOL) is not well understood. In light of mixed findings on QOL after PTSD interventions, little is known about why some individuals experience functional and QOL improvements while others do not. This study examined treatment-related changes in depression, anger, and PTSD following cognitive processing therapy (CPT) as potential predictors of QOL change.

Home-based delivery of variable length prolonged exposure therapy: A comparison of clinical efficacy between service modalities.

Objective: This study examined clinical and retention outcomes following variable length prolonged exposure (PE) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) delivered by one of three treatment modalities (i.e., home-based telehealth [HBT], office-based telehealth [OBT], or in-home-in-person [IHIP]).

Videoconferencing psychotherapy for veterans with PTSD: Results from a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Introduction: Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) face significant barriers that make it less likely for them to pursue treatment. A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial was used to determine if providing psychotherapy for PTSD via videoconference (VC) is as effective as in-person (IP) psychotherapy.

Methods: All eligible veterans ( = 207) received cognitive processing therapy (CPT) to treat PTSD symptoms in one of the two treatment modalities.