Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [Internet]

Excerpt

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by symptoms that include intrusive or distressing thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks derived from past exposure to traumatic events, such as the sudden death of a loved one, a serious accident, a natural disaster, sexual or physical assault, childhood sexual or physical abuse, combat exposure, or torture. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD in Canada (i.e., the proportion of the population who will experience PTSD in their lifetime) has been estimated to be 9.2%, with higher rates in the armed forces population.

Psychological treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are evidence-based therapies (EBTs) for the management of PTSD. There are different types of CBT for PTSD, including cognitive processing therapy (CPT). CPT is a manualized therapy that provides a person with the skills to handle distressing thoughts and regain control in his or her life. Although the CPT protocol consists of 12 sessions of 90 minutes each, additional sessions or changes in the duration of each session may be allowed at the discretion of patients and clinicians. CPT can be conducted in an individual setting, in a group setting, or in a combination of the two.

To help guide decisions about the choice of behavioural therapy for the treatment of PTSD — and the place of CPT in therapy — this study systematically reviews the clinical effectiveness of CPT offered in individual or group settings for adults with PTSD. Equity issues, patient preferences, and implementation and cost considerations are also examined.