Using machine learning to predict sudden gains in intensive treatment for PTSD.

Sudden gains have been found in PTSD treatment across samples and treatment modality. Sudden gains have consistently predicted better treatment response, illustrating clear clinical implications, though attempts to identify predictors of sudden gains have produced inconsistent findings. To date, sudden gains have not been examined in intensive PTSD treatment programs (ITPs).

Who will respond to intensive PTSD treatment? A machine learning approach to predicting response prior to starting treatment.

Despite the established effectiveness of evidence-based PTSD treatments, not everyone responds the same. Specifically, some individuals respond early while others respond minimally throughout treatment. Our ability to predict these trajectories at baseline has been limited.