A test of behavioral family therapy to augment exposure for combat-relatedposttraumatic stress disorder

This study tested a family-based skills-building intervention in veterans w ith chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans a nd a family member were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) waiting list, (b) 18 sessions of twice-weekly exposure therapy, or (c) 18 sessions of twice-weekly exposure therapy followed by 16 sessions of behavioral fam ily therapy (BFT). Participation in exposure therapy reduced PTSD positive symptoms (e.g., reexperiencing and hyperarousal) but not PTSD negative symp toms. Positive symptom gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. However, participation in BFT had no additional impact on PTSD symptoms.