%0 Journal Article
%T Brief Treatment of Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by Use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART£¿)
%A Kevin E. Kip
%A Carrie A. Elk
%A Kelly L. Sullivan
%A Rajendra Kadel
%A Cecile A. Lengacher
%A Christopher J. Long
%A Laney Rosenzweig
%A Amy Shuman
%A Diego F. Hernandez
%A Jennifer D. Street
%A Sue Ann Girling
%A David M. Diamond
%J Behavioral Sciences
%D 2012
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/bs2020115
%X 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¨C5 one-hour sessions within three weeks). Eighty adults aged 21¨C60 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 ¡À 12.2 vs. 31.2 ¡À 11.4 vs. 30.0 ¡À 12.4; Brief Symptom Inventory: 30.8 ¡À 14.6 vs. 10.1 ¡À 10.8 vs. 10.1 ¡À 12.1; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale: 29.5 ¡À 10.9 vs. 11.8 ¡À 11.1 vs. 13.5 ¡À 12.1; Trauma Related Growth Inventory-Distress scale: 18.9 ¡À 4.1 vs. 7.4 ¡À 5.9 vs. 8.2 ¡À 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.
%K psychological trauma
%K PTSD
%K exposure therapy
%K eye movements
%K bilateral stimulation
%K brief treatment
%U http://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/2/2/115