Although trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy such as prolonged exposure is considered the first choice in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is rarely available in regular health care. In a new feasibility trial, Maria Bragesjö et al. test digital therapy (Huddinge Online Prolonged Exposure; HOPE) to bridge this gap.
Results in short: HOPE proved feasible and effective. The treatment was well tolerated by patients and significant reductions in PTSD symptoms were found at end of treatment and were robust to the 6-month follow-up.
Next step: A randomized controlled study is currently underway by Maria and her team at Psykiatri Sydväst, testing two different digital cognitive behavioral treatments for PTSD. Link to registration here.
Rücklab - Psychiatry research at Karolinska Institutet 