Psychological interventions for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with severe mental illness
Citation: Sin J, Spain D, Furuta M, et al. Psychological interventions for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with severe mental illness. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017;(1):CD011464.
Language: Abstract available in EN, ES, FA, FR, TH, ZH. Plain language summary available in EN, DE, ES, FA, FR, HR, JA, MS, PL, TH, ZH. Full text available in EN.
Free to view: Yes.
Funding sources: National Institute for Health Research (UK).
What is this? In this Cochrane review, the authors searched for randomised controlled trials of the effectiveness of trauma-focused psychological interventions for adolescents (aged 11 to 17 years) and adults (aged 18 years and older) with severe mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They searched in March 2016 and found 4 studies from the Netherlands (1), USA (2) and UK (1).
What works: The authors found that eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) may be more effective at reducing symptoms of PTSD than a waiting list control.
What is uncertain: The effect of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) on PTSD symptoms was inconclusive, as were comparisons of TF‐CBT with EMDR or psychoeducation. Little or no data were available concerning quality of life, symptoms of co-morbid psychosis, depression, anxiety, and health economic outcomes.
Implications: The authors of the review stated that because of limited data, the effects of TF-CBT and EMDR on PTSD symptoms in people with severe mental illness and PTSD remains inconclusive.
Other considerations: The authors of the review did not discuss their findings in the context of issues relating to health equity.
This summary was prepared by Catherine Haynes, checked by Grace Meng, and finalized by William Summerskill.