A Controlled Study of Group-Based Exposure Therapy with Vietnam-Era Veterans

Abstract

Eighty-one Vietnam-era Veterans with PTSD were randomly assigned to either Group-Based Exposure Therapy (GBET) or Present-Centered Group Therapy (PCGT) and assessed blind to treatment condition at post, four months, and one year posttreatment. Both treatments lasted 16 weeks and groups met twice per week in cohorts of 10. GBET includes sharing and reviewing trauma narratives. PCGT included problem solving while avoiding traumatic material. Both treatments produced similar significant lasting reductions in PTSD with few dropouts (10%). GBET produced significantly greater improvement on measures of spirituality, personal meaning, and PTSD-related cognitions. Half of participants seemed to be exaggerating symptoms.

Keywords:

• PTSD
• veteran
• group therapy
• meaning
• symptom exaggeration

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a VA Clinical Science Merit Award (829-mr-mh-12713) and was supported by the Mental Health and Research Service lines of the Atlanta VA Medical Center. We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Amanda Woods, Judith Mozely, Nadya Hollahan, Susan Bowen, Cameron Miller, and Michal Miedan.

Notes on contributors

David J. Ready

David J. Ready, PhD, is a staff psychologist with the Trauma Recovery Program of the Atlanta VA Medical Center. He is also an assistant professor in the Emory University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Nathan Mascaro

Nathan Mascaro, PhD, ABPP, is a staff psychologist with the Trauma Recovery Program of the Atlanta VA Medical Center and an assistant professor in the Emory University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Melissa S. Wattenberg

Melissa S. Wattenberg, PhD, is the program manager and supervisory psychologist in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center at the VA Boston Healthcare System and an assistant professor in the Boston University Department of Psychiatry

Patrick Sylvers

Patrick Sylvers, PhD, is a staff psychologist at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and an assistant professor at the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Virginia Worley

Virginia Worley was an LCSW with the Trauma Recovery Program of the Atlanta VA Medical Center for 13 years and retired from public service in 2016.

Bekh Bradley-Davino

Bekh Bradley-Davino, PhD, is the chief of the Mental Health Service Line of the Atlanta VA Medical Center and an assistant professor in the Emory University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.