Citation

Scholes C, Turpin G, Mason S. Behav. Res. Ther. 2007; 45(11): 2527-2536.

Affiliation

Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, Western Bank, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK. cscholes@nhs.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.brat.2007.06.009

PMID

17662689

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) may develop long-term psychological difficulties. Psycho-education has been suggested to reduce the risk of post-injury disorders. AIMS: We tested the efficacy of providing self-help information to a high-risk sample. METHODS: A&E attenders were screened for acute stress disorder and randomised to two groups: patients (n=116) receiving a self-help booklet and those who did not (n=111). A sample of 'low' scorers was also included (n=120); they did not receive a booklet. Psychological assessments were completed at baseline (within 1 month post-injury) and 3 and 6 months post-injury. RESULTS: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression decreased (p<0.001) across time but there were no group differences in these measures or quality of life. However, subjective ratings of the usefulness of the self-help booklet were very high. CONCLUSIONS: This trial failed to support the efficacy of providing self-help information, as a preventative strategy to ameliorate PTSD.

Language: en