Outlining the effectiveness of prolonged exposure treatment

Prolonged exposure (PE) is an empirically validated treatment for PTSD. However, there remain issues surrounding the optimal length of exposure sessions, the efficacy of prolonged exposure vis-a-vis other behavioral (Foa et al., 1999), cognitive (Resick et al., 2002), cognitive-behavioral (Feske & Chambless, 1995), and EMDR (Ironson et al., 2002) interventions, whether patterns of symptom change differ between PE and cognitive treatments (Nishith, et al., 2002), and those variables that predict significant amounts of variance in treatment outcome (Tarrier, Sommerfield, Pilgrim, & Faragher, 2000). In this presentation, I will discuss the theoretical basis of prolonged exposure therapy, review the comparative outcome literature surrounding prolonged exposure, and summarize empirical research findings with regard to its efficacy and optimal use. Mechanisms of action involved in PE will be discussed with an emphasis on providing a context for the subsequent papers in the Poster.

Conference

English

D. Richard

Richard, D. (2005, November). Outlining the effectiveness of prolonged exposure treatment. Poster presented at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 21st Annual Meeting, Toronto, ON