Factors associated with outcome of cognitive-behavioural treatment of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder

This study examined factors that were associated with outcome in the treatm ent of PTSD. A trial of cognitive therapy compared to imaginal exposure of chronic PTSD showed that although clinical improvements were obtained after treatment and at 6 month follow-up one type of treatment was not significa ntly superior to the other. Characteristics of the patient, the trauma and treatment and of pretreatment clinical measures were investigated as predic tors of PTSD outcome. Eleven variables were significantly associated with t he pre- to post-treatment change in CAPS severity scores. Of these, three ( duration of therapy, gender and suicide risk) were selected into a step-wis e multiple regression equation to explain 36.5% of the outcome. Similarly, nine variables were significant associated with the pretreatment to follow- up change with three variables (number of missed therapy sessions, resident ial status and co-morbid GAD) being selected into the equation and explaini ng 36.9% of the outcome. The best predictor of outcome was inconsistent att endance at therapy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.