The effectiveness of evidence-based treatments in treatment of active military personnel and their families

Between 338,000 and 520,000 active duty military personnel are estimated to have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multiple randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies exist regarding the efficacy of PTSD evidence-based treatments (EBTs); however, it was recommended in the literature that future research on PTSD psychotherapies be conducted on genuine therapies with committed therapists, ideally treatments as practiced in the community, working with samples of patients resembling those seen in the community. We analyzed archival clinical outcome data from U.S. military clientele, being seen in military community counseling centers, who received a PTSD-EBT, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Out of 99 archival cases, 65 were active duty military personnel. PTSD was identified as the primary diagnosis for 65 of the clients; of these 65 cases, 42 involved combat, whereas 23 were noncombat related. Across all outcome measures used, the results after EMDR treatment indicated significant improvement. These findings demonstrated the effectiveness of using PTSD-EBT in treating active military populations in general and EMDR in particular. Future implications for conducting effectiveness research are examined.

Journal

English

Matt Brickell
Mark C. Russell
Richard B. Smith

Brickell, M., Russell, M. C., & Smith, R. B. (2015). The effectiveness of evidence-based treatments in treatment of active military personnel and their families. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 9(4), 198-208. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.9.4.198