Good News on PTSD

A clinical trial has shown that the addition of just one care component can improve outcomes for those with PTSD. The component was specially trained care managers and telephone therapy. After one year, those who had telephone-based therapy saw significant improvements in recovery, compared with those who didn’t have the teletherapy. The telephone therapy aspect was seen as a way to get around the stigma of showing up to see a mental-health specialist. The specially trained care managers were key, too, and served to coordinate between the patient and the overall care team. The non-profit research organization RAND Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and two universities, began the study back in 2012. More than 600 military personnel at various bases were divided into two programs. One group got the standard care: screening for PTSD and depression. Nurses would call monthly to ask about symptoms. The other group got the upgraded care: In addition to the above, the nurses were specially trained, and psychologists would make the telephone calls to do therapy, as well as offer face-to-face meetings. Psychologists, psychiatrists and care managers would review the information on a weekly basis and suggest changes if necessary. The bonus is that the telephone therapy likely will get more people to seek care sooner, reducing the time to begin treatment. It’s thought that between 13 percent and 18 percent of active military or veterans suffer from PTSD, depression or anxiety after they’ve been deployed. Only half of those receive mental-health services. The clinical trial isn’t currently taking on new participants. Still, if you want to read the particulars, go online to clinicaltrials.gov/ show/NCT01492348. If you’re interested, it wouldn’t hurt to talk to your care provider about it. The contact info for medical personnel is at the bottom of the webpage.