Maintenance of treatment gains up to 12-months following a three-week cognitive processing therapy-based intensive PTSD treatment programme for veterans

BackgroundIntensive treatment programmes (ITPs) have shown promise for reducing PTSD and depression symptoms. It is still unknown whether treatment gains are maintained following completion.ObjectiveThis study examined whether veterans were able to maintain treatment gains for up to 12months after an ITP for PTSD and whether reductions in negative posttrauma cognitions predicted treatment gain maintenance.Methods209 veterans (62.7% male, mean age=40.86years) completed a 3-week, CPT-based ITP for PTSD. Participants' PTSD (PCL-5) and depression (PHQ-9) symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up timepoints.ResultsDespite small symptom increases from post-treatment to 3-month follow-up, significant and clinically meaningful reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms were reported from intake to 12months follow-up (averaging >18 points on the PCL-5 and >6 points on the PHQ-9; d =1.28, and d =1.18, respectively). Greater reductions in negative posttrauma cognitions during treatment were associated with lower PTSD (p