Randomized Clinical Trial Pilot Study of Prolonged Exposure Versus Present Fcentred affect regulation therapy for PTSD and anger problems with male military combat veterans

The study found that TARGET had fewer dropouts than PE (i.e., 29 percent vs. 64 percent). At post test, improvements were found for both interventions in increased emotion regulation and hope, and reduced PTSD symptoms, hostility, experiential avoidance, and mental health problems. At a 4 month follow up, comparable proportions (approximately 40 percent) of recipients in each therapy maintained clinically significant gains. Self rated expectancy of therapeutic outcome and working alliance was comparable for both PE and TARGET early in therapy, at mid treatment, and at the end of treatment. Although preliminary, these results suggest that TARGET may be a viable therapeutic option for male military veterans with PTSD and anger problems. (publisher abstract modified)