Incorporating peer support during in vivo exposure to reverse dropout from prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder : clinical outcomes
Hernández-Tejada, Melba A. (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut)
Hamski, Stephanie (Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center)
Sánchez Carracedo, David (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut)

Date:	2017
Abstract:	Objective: Prolonged exposure is characterized by reported dropout rates ranging from 25% to 40%. This premature attrition is also observed in other evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. While home-based telehealth delivery of prolonged exposure resolves logistical barriers to care such as travel time and cost, dropout appears unaffected. A previous study on dropouts from prolonged exposure delivered via telehealth found that Veterans, particularly those receiving care via telehealth, reported problems with in vivo exposure and that having a peer to offer support during in vivo exposure assignments might have prevented their attrition from treatment. Methods: The present pilot study treatment was designed in a manner consistent with the aforementioned Veteran suggestions, specifically to involve peers offering verbal support and encouragement during in vivo exposure homework. Such a treatment modification might be particularly useful for those receiving care via telehealth, given increased difficulties with exposure reported when this treatment delivery modality is used. It was hypothesized that dropouts would agree to reengage in treatment with a peer and would subsequently evince improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder and depression scores as a result of this treatment reengagement. Results: Of 82 dropouts from prolonged exposure, 29 reentered treatment when offered peer support during exposure (12 in telehealth and 17 in person). Conclusion: Treatment reentry was effective insofar as indices of both posttraumatic stress disorder and depression were significantly reduced in both telehealth and in person groups, indicating that using peers in this way may be an effective means by which to return Veterans to care, and ultimately reduce symptomatology.
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Telehealth ; Posttraumatic stress disorder ; Veterans ; Depression ; Dropout
Published in:	International journal of psychiatry in medicine, 2017 , ISSN 0091-2174

DOI: 10.1177/0091217417738938

Post-print 19 p, 268.5 KB

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