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The Effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for Combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) has emerged as a prominent intervention for combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), targeting avoidance behaviors and facilitating emotional processing of traumatic memories. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of PE in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving overall functioning in military veterans and active-duty service members with combat-related PTSD. Through an extensive literature review, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of PE compared to control conditions (e.g., waitlist, treatment as usual, other psychotherapies) in targeting symptoms of combat-related PTSD, including re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative alterations in mood and cognition. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as treatment duration, therapist experience, treatment format (individual vs. group), and participant characteristics (e.g., severity of trauma exposure, deployment history), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of PE for combat-related PTSD.
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References
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