PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Veterans, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Positive Health, Recovery, Randomised Controlled Trial
Brief summary
The primary outcome is quality of life, with secondary outcomes including PTSD symptoms, and psychosocial functioning. We hypothesise that a low-dose intervention based on empowerment and self-directed goal setting will lead to (a) measurable improvements in veterans' quality of life and (b) reduced PTSD symptoms, and improved psychosocial functioning.
Detailed description
Background: Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience complex and persistent symptoms that extend beyond the scope of trauma-focused treatments. The Positive Health framework offers an integrative approach to health and well-being, yet its application in veteran populations remains unexplored. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of integrating the Positive Health dialogue tool into trauma-focused treatment for veterans with PTSD. The study aimed to evaluate its impact on recovery indicators, including quality of life, PTSD symptoms, and psychosocial functioning. Methods: Forty-four veterans diagnosed with PTSD were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, which received two additional sessions using the dialogue tool alongside standard trauma-focused therapy, or a control group receiving treatment as usual. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using validated instruments, including the MANSA, PCL-5, and TRACK 2.0. Results: Although both groups showed improvements over time in PTSD symptoms and psychosocial functioning, there were no statistically significant differences found between the treatment and control groups across various recovery indicators. Conclusions: The limited scope, lack of iintegration, and timing of the intervention may have contributed to the absence of measurable effects. While the dialogue tool did not yield additional benefits beyond standard treatment, the findings underscore the need for more structured, integrated, and timely recovery-oriented interventions. Trial registration: The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Maastricht University (METc azM/UM) and registered under number NL72664.068.20 on July 7, 2020. This study was funded by the Dutch National Care System for Veterans (Landelijk Zorgsysteem voor Veteranen, LZV), which supports research aimed at improving mental health care for military veterans in the Netherlands. Corresponding author: Drs. M.M.P.A. (Maarten) Muskens: Psychotraumacentrum Zuid-Nederland; address: Bethaniestraat 10, 5211JL 's- Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; phone: 0031 73 658 64 00; email: Maarten. Muskens@reiniervanarkel.nl
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPositive Health dialogue tool
This intervention is distinguished by the integration of a structured dialogue tool in two additional sessions, designed to enhance therapeutic engagement and reflection. Unlike standard trauma-focused therapy alone, this approach offers a unique combination of conventional treatment with a targeted communication strategy tailored to veterans with PTSD.
Sponsors
Reinier van Arkel
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
Forty-four veterans diagnosed with PTSD were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, which received two additional sessions using the dialogue tool alongside standard trauma-focused therapy, or a control group receiving treatment as usual.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* A formal PTSD diagnosis * At the start of treatment * Aged 18 until 64 * Reading, writing, and speaking Dutch
Exclusion criteria
* Alcohol or drug dependency * Severe cognitive impairments (e.g., dementia) * Acute suicide risk, as assessed during the intake procedure
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in Quality of Life Scores from Baseline, 6 Months, and 12 Months as Measured by the MANSA Questionnaire | From enrollment to 12 months post-enrollment |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in PTSD Symptom Severity from Baseline, 6 Months, and 12 Months as Measured by the PCL-5 Questionnaire | rom enrollment to 12 months post-enrollment |
| Change in Psychosocial Functioning from Baseline, 6 Months, and 12 Months as Measured by the TRACK 2.0 Questionnaire | From enrollment to 12 months post-enrollment |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed