Effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Effective treatment options are needed for veterans who do not participate in trauma-focused psychotherapy. Research has yet to examine the effectiveness of transdiagnostic psychotherapy in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring psychological disorders. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) delivered in a 16-week group format. We examined treatment outcomes in male and female veterans ( n = 52) in an outpatient specialty PTSD clinic at a large Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. We hypothesized significant decreases in emotion regulation difficulty (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), PTSD symptom severity (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), and depressive symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). In addition, we hypothesized that reductions in emotion regulation difficulty across treatment would negatively predict PTSD and depressive symptoms at posttreatment. PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulty all evidenced significant improvements at the end of treatment relative to baseline ( ps < .001). In addition, reductions in emotion regulation across treatment were associated with lower PTSD and depressive symptoms at posttreatment ( ps < .001). This pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting use of UP among veterans with PTSD and co-occurring disorders. Well-designed clinical trials evaluating efficacy of UP among veterans are needed.

Post‐traumatic stress disorder as a moderator of transdiagnostic, residential eating disorder treatment outcome trajectory

“…Preliminary evidence supports the effectiveness of the Renfrew Unified Treatment Model in reducing ED symptoms and improving transdiagnostic outcomes in the current setting (Thompson‐Brenner et al, 2019). In addition, recent findings support the effectiveness of the UP for individuals with primary PTSD and veterans treated in a primary care setting (De Paul & Caver, 2020; Varkovitzky et al, 2018). Residential treatment following Unified Treatment Model typically lasts for about 4 weeks (sample mean length of stay = 33.28 days) and consists of individual and group psychotherapy, meals, and support from psychiatric practitioners and dieticians (for more details, see Thompson‐Brenner et al, 2018).…”

Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans

“…), there is need to develop transdiagnostic treatments that can simultaneously address PTSD and its common overlapping comorbities. 12,13 Psychedelic drugs demonstrate potential as transdiagnostic treatment approaches for the Veteran population. Psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and 3,4methylenodloxymethamphetanine (MDMA) are the most widely researched psychedelic-assisted therapies.…”

“…), there is need to develop transdiagnostic treatments that can simultaneously address PTSD and its common overlapping comorbities. 12 , 13 …”

Efficacy of the unified protocol for the treatment of emotional disorders in the Spanish public mental health system using a group format: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority controlled trial

“…So far, studies exploring the effectiveness of the UP in a group format have led to promising findings [ 12 – 15 ].Overall, results suggest that the UP obtains medium-to-large effect sizes on numerous outcomes, including depression, anxiety, positive and negative affect, quality of life, overall adjustment, and avoidance of negative sensations, for both anxiety and mood disorders [ 12 – 14 ]. These studies have also revealed that between half and two thirds of patients ceased to meet diagnostic criteria after the treatment and one investigation, conducted by our team, revealed that changes remained stable 12 months after treatment completion [ 13 ].…”