When prolonged exposure fails: Adding an imagery-based cognitive restructuring component in the treatment of industrial accident victims suffering from PTSD | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Hagner, D., Cloutier, H., Arakelian, C., & Brucker, D.
Year Published	2003
Publication	Cognitive and Behavioral Practice
Volume	41
Number	7
Pages	333-346
Publisher	Association for Advancement of Behavior
Background	Accidents within the workplace affect a large number of individuals each year. The most frequently studied traumas have involved victims of combat,physical and sexual assault, natural disaster, and motor vehicle accidents. (p.333)
Purpose	The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of adding an imagery-based, cognitive restructuring component to the treatment of two victims of work-related injuries suffering from PTSD who failed to improve from prolonged exposure alone.
Setting	The study took place in individual treatment sessions provided by the senior author.
Sample	This article reviews 2 case studies of individuals receiving Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT) in addition to Prolonged Exposure (PE).
Data Collection	The BDI, IES, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and the WMS-R Digit Span Subtest were administered at pre and post-treatment, and again at 1-month, 3-month, and 6 month follow-ups. SUDS ratings were recorded throughout each treatment session as well as at intake, post treatment, and each of the follow-ups.
Control	There was no control or comparison condition.
Findings	Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy appeared to facilitate and foster a significant cognitive shift, which resulted in successful emotional processing and an immediate alleviation of PTSD symptoms. (p.343)
Conclusions	Prolonged exposure is more likely to be an effective PTSD treatment when fear is the primary emotion and avoidance is the primary coping strategy. An imagery based cognitive-restructuring treatment (IRRT) is likely to be an effective PTSD treatment when non-fear emotions are primary.
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722903800512
Disabilities	Emotional disturbance
Populations	Male
Outcomes	Return to work
NIDILRR Funded	Not Reported
Research Design	Case reports
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2003

Publication

Cognitive and Behavioral Practice

Volume

41

Number

7

Pages

333-346

Publisher

Association for Advancement of Behavior

Background

Accidents within the workplace affect a large number of individuals each year. The most frequently studied traumas have involved victims of combat,physical and sexual assault, natural disaster, and motor vehicle accidents. (p.333)

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of adding an imagery-based, cognitive restructuring component to the treatment of two victims of work-related injuries suffering from PTSD who failed to improve from prolonged exposure alone.

Setting

The study took place in individual treatment sessions provided by the senior author.

Sample

This article reviews 2 case studies of individuals receiving Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT) in addition to Prolonged Exposure (PE).

Data Collection

The BDI, IES, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and the WMS-R Digit Span Subtest were administered at pre and post-treatment, and again at 1-month, 3-month, and 6 month follow-ups. SUDS ratings were recorded throughout each treatment session as well as at intake, post treatment, and each of the follow-ups.

Control

There was no control or comparison condition.

Findings

Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy appeared to facilitate and foster a significant cognitive shift, which resulted in successful emotional processing and an immediate alleviation of PTSD symptoms. (p.343)

Conclusions

Prolonged exposure is more likely to be an effective PTSD treatment when fear is the primary emotion and avoidance is the primary coping strategy. An imagery based cognitive-restructuring treatment (IRRT) is likely to be an effective PTSD treatment when non-fear emotions are primary.

URL

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722903800512

Disabilities

Emotional disturbance

Populations

Male

Outcomes

Return to work

NIDILRR Funded

Not Reported

Research Design

Case reports

Peer Reviewed

Yes