Am J Psychiatry 1996; 153:771-777
Copyright © 1996 by American Psychiatric Association
Outcome of intensive inpatient treatment for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder
DR Johnson, R Rosenheck, A Fontana, H Lubin, D Charney and S Southwick
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the outcome of a 4-month intensive inpatient
program for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among
Vietnam veterans. METHOD: The subjects were 51 male veterans with PTSD who
completed the inpatient treatment program. Comprehensive measures of PTSD
and psychiatric symptoms, as well as social functioning, were assessed at
admission, discharge, and 6, 12, and 18 months after discharge. RESULTS:
The overall study group showed an increase in symptoms from admission to
follow-up and a decrease in violent actions and thoughts and legal
problems. Family and interpersonal relationships and overall morale were
improved at discharge but then returned to pretreatment levels at 18
months. Patient evaluations also indicated that the program affected morale
and interpersonal relationships but not symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The chronic
nature of combat-related PTSD among Vietnam veterans is evident. The study
raises the possibility that long-term intensive inpatient treatment is not
effective, and other forms of treatment should be considered after rigorous
study of such variables as length of stay, trauma versus rehabilitation
focus, and patient characteristics.
