Distance delivered interventions for PTSD: A systematic review and meta analysis.
This systematic review and meta analysis evaluated the efficacy of distance delivered, guided approaches to treatment (e.g. delivered via telephone, Internet, mail, videoconferencing) for clinical and subclinical posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) A comprehensive search yielded 19 randomized controlled trials (1491 participants) to be included. Meta analyses revealed that distance delivered interventions led to significant within group improvements in PTSD symptoms at post treatment (g=0.81, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.97) and 3 6 month follow up (g=0.78, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.97) Within group depression and quality of life outcomes showed similar results, with medium post treatment and follow up effects. Compared to a waiting list, distance delivery (specifically, Internet treatments) led to superior PTSD outcomes (g=0.68, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.86) Compared to face to face interventions, distance delivery (specifically, videoconferencing treatments) did not result in significantly different PTSD outcomes at post treatment (g= 0.05, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.20) but led to inferior outcomes at 3 6 month follow up (g= 0.25, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.07) Distance delivery of PTSD treatment is promising, but research is needed to determine its optimal use.
Journal of anxiety disorders