Brief Treatment of Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by Use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART(®))

Abstract

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, disabling anxiety disorder. This prospective cohort study reports on a new exposure-based therapy known as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART(®)) that incorporates the use of eye movements administered in a brief treatment period (1-5 one-hour sessions within three weeks). Eighty adults aged 21-60 years with symptoms of PTSD were recruited from the Tampa Bay area. The ART-based psychotherapy was designed to minimize anxiety and body sensations associated with recall of traumatic memories and to replace distressing images with favorable ones. Participants' mean age was 40 years, 77% were female, and 29% were Hispanic. Participants underwent a median of three ART sessions, 66 of 80 (82.5%) completed treatment, and 54 of 66 (81.8%) provided 2-month follow-up data. Mean scores pre- and post-ART and at 2-month follow-up were: PTSD Checklist: 54.5 ± 12.2 vs. 31.2 ± 11.4 vs. 30.0 ± 12.4; Brief Symptom Inventory: 30.8 ± 14.6 vs. 10.1 ± 10.8 vs. 10.1 ± 12.1; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale: 29.5 ± 10.9 vs. 11.8 ± 11.1 vs. 13.5 ± 12.1; Trauma Related Growth Inventory-Distress scale: 18.9 ± 4.1 vs. 7.4 ± 5.9 vs. 8.2 ± 5.9 (p < 0.0001 for all pre-ART vs. post-ART and 2-month comparisons). No serious adverse events were reported. ART appears to be a brief, safe, and effective treatment for symptoms of PTSD.

Keywords: PTSD; bilateral stimulation; brief treatment; exposure therapy; eye movements; psychological trauma.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of screening, enrollment, and treatment completion of study participants.

Figure 2

Distribution of self-report scores on the PCL-C among subgroups at baseline, post-treatment, and 2-month follow-up. The rectangles depict the interquartile range; the lower and upper ends of the vertical lines with the diamonds depict the 5th and 95th percentiles, respectively.

Figure 3

Distribution of self-report scores on the CES-D among subgroups at baseline, post-treatment, and 2-month follow-up. The rectangles depict the interquartile range; the lower and upper ends of the vertical lines with the diamonds depict the 5th and 95th percentiles, respectively.

Figure 4

Percentage of participants with PCL-C scores >44 (established clinical cutpoint) at baseline (minimal shading), post-treatment (moderate shading) and 2-month follow-up (dark shading).