A placeboâ controlled pilot study of a wearable morning bright light treatment for probable PTSD

BackgroundEvidenceâ based treatments for postâ traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have poor uptake and remission rates, suggesting that alternative treatments are needed. Morning bright light may be an effective treatment for PTSD given its established effects on mood and sleep, however, there are no published trials.MethodsWe conducted a placeboâ controlled pilot trial of a wearable light device, the Reâ timer®, for individuals with probable PTSD. Individuals were randomly assigned to the active Reâ timer® (n = 9) or a placebo Reâ timer® dimmed with neutral density filters (n = 6). Participants selfâ administered the treatment at home 1 hr each morning over 4 weeks. PTSD and depression symptoms were assessed at preâ and postâ treatment.ResultsThe Reâ timer® was well tolerated and the perceived benefit was high, though treatment adherence was only moderate. Those in the active group were more likely to achieve a minimal clinically important change in PTSD and depression symptoms and had larger symptom reductions than those in the placebo groupConclusionsA wearable morning light treatment was acceptable and feasible for patients with probable PTSD. This study provides initial proofâ ofâ concept that light treatment can improve PTSD. A larger trial is warranted to establish treatment efficacy. NCT#: 03513848Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149743/1/da22897_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149743/2/da22897.pd

A Case Report of Cognitive Processing Therapy Delivered over a Single Week.

Although evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), have been developed and widely disseminated, the rate of veterans engaging in and completing these therapies is low. Alternative methods of delivery may be needed to help overcome key barriers to treatment. Delivering evidence-based therapies intensively may address practical barriers to treatment attendance as well as problems with avoidance. This report details the case of a combat veteran who received 10 sessions of Cognitive Processing Therapy delivered twice per day over a single, five-day work week (CPT-5). Post-treatment, the veteran reported large and clinically meaningful decreases in PTSD and depression symptom severity as well as in guilt cognitions, which is a purported mechanism of successful treatment. These effects persisted six weeks after treatment ended. Despite the intensive nature of the treatment, the veteran found CPT-5 tolerable and could cite many benefits to completing therapy in one work week. In conclusion, CPT-5 holds promise as a way to efficiently deliver an evidence-based therapy that is both clinically effective and acceptable to patients, although more rigorous clinical trials are needed to test this treatment delivery format