Intensive outpatient treatment for PTSD: an open trial combining prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR, and physical activity

Figures & data

Figure 1. Flow diagram for study participants.

Table 1. Characteristics of the sample.

	%	n			%	N
Female sex	93.1	27		Single	44.8	13
Ethnic minority	17.2	5		Cohabitant	41.4	12
Full time work	13.8	4		Current psychotropic medication	48,3	14
Part time work	6.9	2		Comorbid disorder	41.4	12
Sick leave	20.7	6		Previous drug abuse	24.1	7
Benefits	51.7	15		Current drug abuse	3.4	1
Student	6.9	2

Table 2. Changes in symptoms and functioning from pre-treatment to three-month follow-up.

	M (SD)				F	P	d	µp^2
	Pre	Start	Post	3-m f-u				A	B	C
PSS-I	31.40 (8.21)	–	18.55 (10.06)	15.90 (11.88)	44.13	<.001	1.52	0.61	0.63	0.60
PCL-5	49.79 (11.23)	50.69 (11.44)	34.21 (14.84)	30.00 (16.93)	30.32	<.001	1.38	0.52	0.53	0.54
BDI-II	29.66 (10.35)	28.21 (12.17)	19.66 (10.57)	18.93 (13.83)	13.69	<.001	0.88	0.33	0.35	0.33
BAI	26.55 (12.33)	26.07 (13.44)	16.66 (12.33)	17.07 (13.48)	21.48	<.001	0.73	0.43	0.42	0.44
WSAS	21.52 (8.26)	21.72 (8.18)	19.41 (7.60)	18.66 (9.73)	2.37	.100	0.32	0.08	0.11	0.09
WHO-5	33.24 (17.17)	28.69 (18.36)	39.45 (19.38)	44.14 (20.77)	5.91	.003	−0.57	0.17	0.29	0.18
IIP-64	1.74 (0.50)	1.74 (0.49)	1.45 (0.47)	1.39 (0.57)	14.06	<.001	0.65	0.33	0.38	0.33

Note: Effect sizes (µ_p²) are reported according to the imputation method used: A = imputation using last observation carried forward/backward; B = raw data (no imputation); C = expectation maximization method. F and p values are calculated using method A. PSS-I = PTSD Symptom Scale – Interview for DSM-IV, PCL-5 = PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, BDI-II = Beck Depression Inventory, BAI = Beck Anxiety Inventory, WSAS = Work and Social Adjustment Scale, WHO-5 = The World Health Organisation – Five Well-Being Index, IIP-64 = Inventory of Interpersonal Problems.

Figure 2. Changes in PTSD symptoms from pre-treatment to follow-up based on the PSS-I. Note: Error bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 3. Changes in PTSD symptoms from pre-treatment to follow-up as measured with the PCL-5. Note: Error bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.

Table 3. Treatment response rates (from start of treatment to three-month follow-up) in percentages.

	35% improvement	35% deterioration	Clinical cut-off	Reliable change	CSC/recovery
PSS-I	65.5%	0.0%	62.1%	79.3%	62.1%
PCL-5	58.6%	0.0%	55.2%	72.4%	55.2%
BDI-II	51.7%	10.3%	51.7%	58.6%	44.8%
BAI	48.3%	0.0%	58.6%	34.5%	20.7%
WSAS	34.5%	6.9%	44.8%	24.1%	24.1%
IIP-64	27.6%	3.4%	24.1%	44.8%	13.8%
WHO-5	48.3%	13.8%	72.4%	62.1%	51.7%

Note: CSC = clinically significant change (recovery). PSS-I = PTSD Symptom Scale – Interview for DSM-IV, PCL-5 = PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, BDI-II = Beck Depression Inventory, BAI = Beck Anxiety Inventory, WSAS = Work and Social Adjustment Scale, WHO-5 = The World Health Organisation – Five Well-Being Index, IIP-64 = Inventory of Interpersonal Problems.

Table 4. Client satisfaction in percentages.

	Low satisfaction		High satisfaction
	1	2	3	4
1. Quality of service	3.4% (1)	0.0% (0)	55.2% (16)	41.4% (12)
2. Kind of service	3.4% (1)	3.4% (1)	58.6% (17)	34.5% (10)
3. Met needs	0.0% (0)	27.6% (8)	48.3% (14)	24.1% (7)
4. Recommend to a friend	0.0% (0)	0.0% (0)	13.8% (4)	86.2% (25)
5. Amount of help	6.9% (2)	6.9% (2)	41.4% (3)	44.8% (13)
6. Dealt with problems	0.0% (0)	3.4% (1)	34.5% (10)	62.1% (18)
7. Overall satisfaction	3.4% (1)	0.0% (0)	51.7% (15)	44.8% (13)
8. Would come back	0.0% (0)	6.9% (2)	34.5% (10)	58.6% (17)

Note: Total scores ranged from 13 to 32. Possible range of scores is 8–32. Higher scores indicate greater client satisfaction.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.