Report Finds Stronger Research Needed on the Effectiveness of Interventions to Prevent PTSD

A new review from AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program identifies areas that need more and methodologically better research about the efficacy of interventions to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specific therapies appear to be effective, such as collaborative care (a combination of care management, psychopharmacology, and cognitive behavioral therapy) for patients who require inpatient surgical admission and brief trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for people with acute stress disorder. However, debriefing is ineffective in reducing either the incidence or severity of PTSD or depressive symptoms in people who experience crime, assault, or accident trauma. Sixty percent of men and 51 percent of women report experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of those individuals develop PTSD symptoms, which are associated with impaired functioning. More research is needed to develop a way to identify people at high risk of developing PTSD after trauma exposure and to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention interventions. Select to access the full research review, Interventions for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults After Exposure to Psychological Trauma.

Interventions for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults After Exposure to Psychological Trauma - Research Review - Final | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program