A joint research group at the National Center for Neurological and Psychiatry and the University of Tsukuba has clarified the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).This result is an achievement that expands the options for PTSD treatment in Japanese clinical settings.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on trauma is said to be effective in treating PTSD. EMDR).In Japan, although the efficacy of PE is being shown, there are still no reports of clinical research in Japan regarding CPT developed in the United States. It was necessary to confirm whether CPT could be implemented in the same way not only in Western cultures but also in Japan, and whether the same effects could be obtained.
In this study, 25 PTSD patients participated in the study and conducted a before-and-after comparison study of CPT to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and therapeutic effects of CPT in Japan.The treatment consisted of a total of 1 sessions of 50 minutes each and practice tasks at home assigned each time.
When PTSD symptoms were evaluated before treatment, at the end of treatment, and after 6 and 12 months, CPT significantly improved symptoms at all time points.In addition, the treatment discontinuation rate was low (96.0% of patients completed treatment), suggesting that CPT can be implemented and accepted in Japan, and that it can be expected to be as effective as previous overseas studies.
Although the prevalence of PTSD is lower in Japan than in other countries, it is difficult to say that PTSD treatment is widespread, and there are many patients with severe PTSD symptoms who do not receive treatment. CPT can be performed in Japan, and it is expected that the expansion of PTSD treatment options will gain momentum in the future, as the patient's symptoms have improved.
