Effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure for PTSD in Older Veterans. (February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yoder, Matthew S.; Lozano, Brian; Center, Kristy B.; Miller, Aaron; Acierno, Ron; Tuerk, Peter W.
• Is Part Of: International journal of psychiatry in medicine. Volume 45:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2013-02
• Subjects: PTSD -- older adults -- exposure therapy -- veterans; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Sick -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine, Psychosomatic -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.2190/PM.45.2.b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-2174

Abstract

Exposure-based therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD, including combat-related PTSD. However, questions remain within PTSD treatment literature and among front-line clinicians about the appropriateness of exposure-based therapies for older adults. The current study examined the effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure (PE) in reducing PTSD and depression symptoms in a sample of 65 Veterans age 60 and older who were diagnosed with PTSD via structured clinical interview. In addition to within-subject repeated measure analyses, the entire intent to treat sample was compared to treatment completers. Within group d -type effect sizes across both groups were large (1.13–1.90) and the retention rate was high (85%). Importantly, no adverse medical or psychiatric events were reported over the course of the study. Results are discussed and limitations, along with future directions, are presented.