Roy Michael J, Highland Krista B, Costanzo Michelle A
Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Stud Health Technol Inform. 2015;219:123-8.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in U.S. military service members (SMs) returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. SMs with PTSD symptoms that fall short of meeting full diagnostic criteria also experience devastating effects on their quality of life and daily functioning. Though evidence based treatments are indicated for those meeting diagnostic criteria, less attention has been given to interventions for those with subthreshold symptoms. The advent of novel technologies affords a unique opportunity to meet these intervention needs. Here we describe the feasibility and preliminary findings testing a smartphone-based intervention program to reduce PTSD symptoms in post-deployment SMs. Participants were randomized to a control or intervention condition. Those in the intervention condition engaged in one Skype session and six weeks of daily directive text messages guiding application (app) use. Apps primarily included those developed by the Department of Defense or VA. Participants completed the PTSD Checklist online at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Overall, participant feedback was positive, regardless of treatment condition. Preliminary findings (with 10% of the overall target population having enrolled) indicate PCL scores decrease significantly from baseline to post-intervention, and these effects are maintained at 3-month follow-up. Additional analyses will be performed upon completion of the study. The present findings demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone-based resiliency training program for those with subthreshold PTSD.
创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）在美国从阿富汗和伊拉克归来的军人中很常见。有PTSD症状但未达到完整诊断标准的军人，其生活质量和日常功能也受到了极大影响。虽然针对符合诊断标准的患者有循证治疗方法，但对于有阈下症状的患者的干预措施却较少受到关注。新技术的出现为满足这些干预需求提供了独特的机会。在此，我们描述了一项基于智能手机的干预项目，以减轻退伍军人PTSD症状的可行性和初步研究结果。参与者被随机分为对照组或干预组。干预组参加了一次Skype会议，并在六周内每天收到指导应用程序使用的定向短信。应用程序主要包括由国防部或退伍军人事务部开发的那些。参与者在基线、干预后和3个月随访时在线完成PTSD检查表。总体而言，无论治疗情况如何，参与者的反馈都是积极的。初步研究结果（占总体目标人群的10%已入组）表明，PCL评分从基线到干预后显著下降，且这些效果在3个月随访时得以维持。研究完成后将进行进一步分析。目前的研究结果证明了基于智能手机的恢复力训练项目对于有阈下PTSD患者的可行性和可接受性。
