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A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Brief-CBT for Patients with Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Following a Motor Vehicle Crash

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2012

Kitty K. Wu ,
Frendi W. Li  and
Valda W. Cho
Kitty K. Wu*
Affiliation:
Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong, China
Frendi W. Li
Affiliation:
University of Hong Kong, China
Valda W. Cho
Affiliation:
Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong, China
*
Reprint requests to Kitty K. Wu, Clinical Psychology Service, Kwai Chung Hospital, 3-15 Kwai Chung Hospital Road, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. E-mail: wukyk@ha.org.hk
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Road traffic accidentanxietydepressionexposureself-help interventiontreatment outcome
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 31 - 47
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2012 

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