Brief Treatment of Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by Use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART®)

Behavioral Sciences

Kevin E. Kip³  Carrie A. Elk³  Kelly L. Sullivan³  Rajendra Kadel³  Cecile A. Lengacher³  Christopher J. Long³  Laney Rosenzweig³  Amy Shuman²  Diego F. Hernandez¹  Jennifer D. Street⁴  Sue Ann Girling³ 

[1] Balanced Living Psychology, Tampa, FL 33626, USA; E-Mail:;Western New England University, Springfield, MA 01119, USA; E-Mail:;College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; E-Mails:;Life Renewal Counseling, Tampa, FL 33544, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: psychological trauma;    PTSD;    exposure therapy;    eye movements;    bilateral stimulation;    brief treatment;   

DOI  :  10.3390/bs2020115

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, disabling anxiety disorder. This prospective cohort study reports on a new exposure-based therapy known as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART^®) that incorporates the use of eye movements administered in a brief treatment period (1–5 one-hour sessions within three weeks). Eighty adults aged 21–60 years with symptoms of PTSD were recruited from the Tampa Bay area. The ART-based psychotherapy was designed to minimize anxiety and body sensations associated with recall of traumatic memories and to replace distressing images with favorable ones. Participants’ mean age was 40 years, 77% were female, and 29% were Hispanic. Participants underwent a median of three ART sessions, 66 of 80 (82.5%) completed treatment, and 54 of 66 (81.8%) provided 2-month follow-up data. Mean scores pre- and post-ART and at 2-month follow-up were: PTSD Checklist: 54.5 ± 12.2 vs. 31.2 ± 11.4 vs. 30.0 ± 12.4; Brief Symptom Inventory: 30.8 ± 14.6 vs. 10.1 ± 10.8 vs. 10.1 ± 12.1; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale: 29.5 ± 10.9 vs. 11.8 ± 11.1 vs. 13.5 ± 12.1; Trauma Related Growth Inventory-Distress scale: 18.9 ± 4.1 vs. 7.4 ± 5.9 vs. 8.2 ± 5.9 (p < 0.0001 for all pre-ART vs. post-ART and 2-month comparisons). No serious adverse events were reported. ART appears to be a brief, safe, and effective treatment for symptoms of PTSD.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.