TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of Brief-CBT for patients with symptoms of posttraumatic stress following a motor vehicle crash
JO  - Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy
A1  - Wu, Kitty K.
A1  - Li, Frendi W.
A1  - Cho, Valda W.
SP  - 31
EP  - 47
VL  - 42
IS  - 1
N2  - Background: Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are leading contributors to the global burden of disease. Patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) after an MVC may develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is evidence that brief cognitive behavioural therapy (B-CBT) can be effective in treating PTSD; however, there are few studies of the use of B-CBT to treat PTSD in MVC survivors. Aims: This study examined the effects of B-CBT and a self-help program on the severity of psychological symptoms in MVC survivors at risk of developing PTSD. Method: Sixty participants who attended A&E after a MVC were screened for PTSD symptoms and randomized to a 4-weekly session B-CBT or a 4-week self-help program (SHP) booklet treatment conditions. Psychological assessments were completed at baseline (1-month post-MVC) and posttreatment (3- and 6-month follow-ups) by utilizing Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: There were significant improvements in the measures of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms over time. Participants treated with B-CBT showed greater reductions in anxiety at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups, and in depression at 6-month follow-up. A comparison of effect size favoured B-CBT for the reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms measured by HADS. A high level of pretreatment anxiety and depression were predictive of negative outcome at 6-month follow-up in the SHP condition. There was no differential effect on PTSD symptoms measured by IES-R. Conclusions: This trial supports the efficacy of providing B-CBT as a preventive strategy to improve psychological symptoms after an MVC.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1352-4658
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1352465812000859
ID  - ref1
ER  -