Differential Effects of an Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Writing Therapy for Reducing PTSD Symptoms after Intensive Care: Results of a Per-Protocol Analysis

Objective To investigate the differential effects of an internet-based cognitive-behavioral writing therapy (iCBT) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after intensive care in patients and their spouses.Methods This reanalysis of a randomized controlled trial compared PTSD symptom severity (measured by PCL-5) before and after therapy considering potential influencing factors in the per-protocol population.Results A significant reduction in post-traumatic symptom severity after iCBT was found. Eleven of the 25 treated participants showed a clinically significant change (PCL-5 difference >= 10 points). The number of words written by the participants in the therapy modules had a significant impact on iCBT efficacy.Conclusion iCBT appears to be a promising option to augment therapy for PTSD, particularly for physically impaired patients following critical illness.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the differential effects of internet-based cognitive-behavioral writing therapy (iCBT) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in patients and their spouses after intensive care. A reanalysis of a randomized controlled trial found a significant reduction in post-traumatic symptom severity after iCBT. The number of words written by participants in therapy modules had a significant impact on the efficacy of iCBT.