Quality of life following treatment for PTSD: Comparison of videoconferencing and in-person modalities

Abstract

Introduction Quality of life (QOL) is significantly impaired among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, few treatment outcome studies examine QOL following treatment. Furthermore, the use of videoconferencing to deliver evidence-based treatments for PTSD is increasing dramatically. Although videoconferencing has demonstrated non-inferiority to in-person treatment modalities for improving PTSD symptom severity, no studies to date have directly compared QOL outcomes of an evidence-based intervention delivered via videoconferencing to one delivered in-person. Methods This study presents a secondary data analysis of two randomized controlled trials comparing cognitive processing therapy (CPT) delivered via videoconferencing or a traditional in-person modality. The Men's study delivered group CPT to 125 male veterans with PTSD, whereas the Women's study delivered individuals CPT to 126 female civilians and veterans. Multigroup latent growth curve models were used to model changes in QOL Inventory (QOLI) scores over time. Results There was no effect of treatment modality on changes in QOLI scores over time (modality effect on slope estimate = 0.004 (-0.60, 0.61) and on quadratic estimate = 0.001 (-0.18, 0.20); all ps > 0.33). Model fit was the same for both genders (Δ χ (2) = 2.28, p = 0.32) and for the gender × treatment modality interaction (Δ χ (2) = 2.87, p = 0.24). QOLI scores improved at post-treatment and three-month follow-up assessments, but declined at the six-month follow-up assessment. Discussion This secondary analysis extends the findings of the parent studies by establishing the efficacy of the videoconferencing platform in improving QOL. Clinical implications of findings are discussed.

Review of the current empirical literature on using videoconferencing to deliver individual psychotherapies to adults with mental health problems

“…Four trials examined CPT delivered by videoconferencing in comparison with in‐person therapy (Glassman et al, 2019 ; Lui et al, 2019 ; Maieritsch et al, 2016 ; Morland et al, 2015 ). Participants were again predominantly veterans, with one study also including civilians (Morland et al, 2015 ), but females were better represented in CPT studies (Lui et al, 2019 : 45% female, Morland et al, 2015 : 100% female).…”

Predicting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Caseness Using the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 Among Patients Receiving Care for HIV

“…Accurate case identification, referral, and treatment with evidence‐informed psychological and psychopharmaceutical treatments may yield improved health outcomes. These potential outcomes include improved quality of life due to the amelioration of PTSD symptoms (Glassman et al., 2019); enhanced coping with regard to living with HIV (López et al., 2020); improved ART adherence, which, in turn, may lead to viral suppression and a lower likelihood of vulnerability to opportunistic infections; and fewer sexual‐risk behaviors characteristic of individuals experiencing symptoms related to traumatization (Mota et al., 2019).…”

A Descriptive Study of Patient Quality Care via Telehealth During COVID-19

“…These five studies were limited to a population considerate of veterans, influencing the generalizability of the findings. Of the five studies, Glassman et al (2019) implemented different interventions based on gender (i.e., males and females). The effectiveness of virtual therapy for both genders was comparable to face-to-face intervention; however, researchers noted that financial planners should consider adjusting treatment in consideration of individual uniqueness.…”

“…Recommendations could help inform providers on areas of telehealth needing improvement, thus providing a better patient experience for mental health patients. Glassman et al (2019) suggested financial planners should consider adjusting treatment in consideration of individual uniqueness. This study discovered the average age of respondents who agreed with telehealth being easy to schedule and telehealth resulting in providers being easier to reach was 32 years of age.…”