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Abstract

Exposure-based therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD, including combat-related PTSD. However, questions remain within PTSD treatment literature and among front-line clinicians about the appropriateness of exposure-based therapies for older adults. The current study examined the effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure (PE) in reducing PTSD and depression symptoms in a sample of 65 Veterans age 60 and older who were diagnosed with PTSD via structured clinical interview. In addition to within-subject repeated measure analyses, the entire intent to treat sample was compared to treatment completers. Within group d-type effect sizes across both groups were large (1.13–1.90) and the retention rate was high (85%). Importantly, no adverse medical or psychiatric events were reported over the course of the study. Results are discussed and limitations, along with future directions, are presented.

Keywords

PTSD older adults exposure therapy veterans

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Effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure for PTSD in Older Veterans

Abstract

Keywords

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References