Evaluation of an Integrative PTSD Treatment Program

Abstract

Purpose: Advancement is occurring in the search for effective, evidence-based treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). One innovative program-the Warrior Combat Stress Reset Program-at FortHood is showing promise for reducing the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression through its integrative approach combining traditional individual and group therapy with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments (e.g., Acupuncture, Reiki, Reflexology, Yoga). The objectives of the evaluation were to: 1)Analyze retrospective patient outcomes data and 2) Collect qualitative data from stakeholders including patients, family members, providers, and hospital leaders to identify mechanisms accounting for success or failure of the program. Methods: A mixed-methods program evaluation examined current treatment and practice of CAMfor PTSD in conjunction with traditional therapies. Treatment outcomes were analyzed for 764 soldiers who attended the 3-week program between 2008 and 2013 and participated in more than 20,000 CAM sessions. It was also of interest to evaluate health impacts of CAMsessions and to explore data to determine which patients benefited the most from treatment. Interviews were conducted with 59 stakeholders and topics included program structure, logistics, implementation issues, replicability, and patient acceptability and satisfaction. Results: Results indicate significant reductions in PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist-Military version; p < .001), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory; p < .001), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory II; p < .001) from pre- to post-treatment. Outcome analysis by year indicates steady improvements in treatment gains for these major outcomes over time. Analyses also suggest that CAM sessions may have an impact on traditional treatment effectiveness, patient adherence, loss to followup, and number of required sessions. Conclusion: This integrative PTSD treatment program for active duty soldiers demonstrates statistically and clinically significant improvements in PTSD, depression, and anxiety with high satisfaction among patients, providers, and family members. Mechanisms for success and suggestions for improvement and replication will be discussed.