Randomized clinical trail of brief eclectic psychotherapy for police officers with post traumatic stress disorder

Authors: Gewurtz, R. E., Cott, C., Rush, B., & Kirsh, B.
Year Published 2000
Publication Journal of Traumatic Stress
Volume 13
Number 2
Pages 333-347
Publisher Wiley
Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is quite common and often disabling. PTSD has serious long-term morbidity, and effective treatments are urgently needed.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP) in a sample of police officers with PTSD.

Setting

The setting for the study was the Department of Psychiatry at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam.

Sample

The study sample included 42 patients with PTSD. 22 were randomly assigned to the treatment group and 20 to the wait-list control group.

Data Collection

Psychometric assessments were conducted by trained research psychologists at four points in time: one week before the start of treatment, one month after the start, four months after the start and three months after termination.

Control

The control group was waitlisted and told they would receive treatment in 7 months. They were monitored by a non-assessor psychologist in the interim.

Findings

At post test and at follow-up BEP had produced significant improvement in PTSD, in work resumption and in comorbid other conditions.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to see if BEP will be effective for other traumatized populations and if the effects of treatment will be long term.

URL http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1007793803627#page-1
Disabilities Emotional disturbance
Populations Male
Outcomes Return to work
NIDILRR Funded No
Research Design Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Peer Reviewed Yes