Citation

Wolf GK, Strom TQ, Kehle SM, Eftekhari A. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2012; 27(1): 26-32.

Affiliation

James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tampa, Florida (Dr Wolf); Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota (Dr Strom); Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Dr Kehle), Minneapolis, Minneapolis; and National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, Menlo Park, California (Dr Eftekhari).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0b013e31823cd01f

PMID

22218201

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: : Preliminary examination of the effectiveness of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). PARTICIPANTS: : Ten Veterans with a history of mild to moderate TBI and chronic PTSD. SETTING: : Outpatient Mental Health/PTSD clinics and polytrauma centers at 2 VA medical centers. MEASURES: : Comprehensive evaluation that included clinical interview, neuropsychologic evaluation, and/or neuroimaging; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist and Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition. PROCEDURES: : Standard implementation of the PE manual was used in all cases with slight adjustments to account for Veterans' residual cognitive deficits. Veterans completed between 8 and 18 sessions. RESULTS: : Veterans demonstrated significant reductions in total PTSD and depression symptoms from pre- to posttreatment. Within-group effect sizes were large. CONCLUSIONS: : These findings suggest that PE can be safely and effectively implemented with Veterans with PTSD, a history of mild to moderate TBI, and current cognitive impairment.

Language: en