Evaluation of an inpatient therapy group 'recovery from trauma' within thepsychosomatic treatment an rehabilitation of patients with chronic PTSD

Given the high rates of both traumatic events and of resulting posttraumati c stress disorder (PTSD) it is imperative to develop and to evaluate effica cious and cost-effective treatment for these individuals. The clinic for be havioral medicine St. Franziska Stift in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, offers gro up-treatment for traumatized inpatients who suffer from chronic PTSD. The g roup-therapy is based on cognitive processing therapy (CPT) originally deve loped by Resick and Schnicke (1993). This approach has been modified accord ing to the demands of an inpatient treatment program and is conducted in a manualized approach by trained clinicians. The format and the therapeutic g oals of that group are described. The treatment undergoes evaluation at the moment. 55 inpatients have been treated in the group so far. All but one p atient have been severely sexually traumatized either in childhood, adultho od or at several stages in life. All patients suffer from PTB and a high co morbidity of mental disorder. The severity of PTB is assessed before, after group treatment and in a 3-month follow up. Dysfunctional beliefs that are affected by traumatization according to CPT are assessed before and after treatment. Results of 52 patients (pre and post assessment) and 42 patients (katamnestic data) are presented. Results indicate that PTSD declines sign ificantly, furthermore dysfunctional beliefs that are targeted in the treat ment change to more functional beliefs. Critical issues that occur in the t reatment and difficulties in implementing inpatient treatment for multiple assault victims are discussed.