Narrative Exposure Therapy VS. Present-Centered Therapy with Older Adults: Results from an RCT

J.  Lely; J. van den Bout; J.J.  ter Heide; N. van der Aa; J.W. Knipscheer; R.J. Kleber

doi:10.1093/geroni/igx004.234

Abstract

Older adults present a growing population in our society and in our mental health system. Among older adults, PTSD is a serious, but frequently hidden psychiatric disorder with various potential trajectories. Elderly patients may have been exposed to multiple traumatic events. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) was developed to address cumulative traumatic memories and aims at connecting them to context and meaning within an autobiographic narrative. Present Centered Therapy (PCT) targets current stressors with a solution-focused approach. In an RCT we investigated the benefits of NET, compared to PCT, for older adults (>55 years, living independently) presenting with PTSD. Preliminary results showed that treatments and assessments were well-tolerated. Challenges were found in recruitment, treatment retention, and treatment interference by comorbid health problems. NET appears to be a safe and feasible outpatient treatment for older adults suffering from PTSD. PCT showed notable treatment effects as well, but NET demonstrated more sustained results.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	58
Journal	Innovation in Aging
Volume	1
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igx004.234
Publication status	Published - 2017

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1093/geroni/igx004.234

Cite this

@article{def5c0d8bdbe4549a9baeeae62de87e0,

title = "Narrative Exposure Therapy VS. Present-Centered Therapy with Older Adults: Results from an RCT",

abstract = "Older adults present a growing population in our society and in our mental health system. Among older adults, PTSD is a serious, but frequently hidden psychiatric disorder with various potential trajectories. Elderly patients may have been exposed to multiple traumatic events. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) was developed to address cumulative traumatic memories and aims at connecting them to context and meaning within an autobiographic narrative. Present Centered Therapy (PCT) targets current stressors with a solution-focused approach. In an RCT we investigated the benefits of NET, compared to PCT, for older adults (>55 years, living independently) presenting with PTSD. Preliminary results showed that treatments and assessments were well-tolerated. Challenges were found in recruitment, treatment retention, and treatment interference by comorbid health problems. NET appears to be a safe and feasible outpatient treatment for older adults suffering from PTSD. PCT showed notable treatment effects as well, but NET demonstrated more sustained results.",

author = "J. Lely and {van den Bout}, J. and {ter Heide}, J.J. and {van der Aa}, N. and J.W. Knipscheer and R.J. Kleber",

year = "2017",

doi = "10.1093/geroni/igx004.234",

language = "English",

volume = "1",

pages = "58",

journal = "Innovation in Aging",

issn = "2399-5300",

publisher = "Oxford University Press",

number = "1",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Narrative Exposure Therapy VS. Present-Centered Therapy with Older Adults

T2 - Results from an RCT

AU - Lely, J.

AU - van den Bout, J.

AU - ter Heide, J.J.

AU - van der Aa, N.

AU - Knipscheer, J.W.

AU - Kleber, R.J.

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Older adults present a growing population in our society and in our mental health system. Among older adults, PTSD is a serious, but frequently hidden psychiatric disorder with various potential trajectories. Elderly patients may have been exposed to multiple traumatic events. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) was developed to address cumulative traumatic memories and aims at connecting them to context and meaning within an autobiographic narrative. Present Centered Therapy (PCT) targets current stressors with a solution-focused approach. In an RCT we investigated the benefits of NET, compared to PCT, for older adults (>55 years, living independently) presenting with PTSD. Preliminary results showed that treatments and assessments were well-tolerated. Challenges were found in recruitment, treatment retention, and treatment interference by comorbid health problems. NET appears to be a safe and feasible outpatient treatment for older adults suffering from PTSD. PCT showed notable treatment effects as well, but NET demonstrated more sustained results.

AB - Older adults present a growing population in our society and in our mental health system. Among older adults, PTSD is a serious, but frequently hidden psychiatric disorder with various potential trajectories. Elderly patients may have been exposed to multiple traumatic events. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) was developed to address cumulative traumatic memories and aims at connecting them to context and meaning within an autobiographic narrative. Present Centered Therapy (PCT) targets current stressors with a solution-focused approach. In an RCT we investigated the benefits of NET, compared to PCT, for older adults (>55 years, living independently) presenting with PTSD. Preliminary results showed that treatments and assessments were well-tolerated. Challenges were found in recruitment, treatment retention, and treatment interference by comorbid health problems. NET appears to be a safe and feasible outpatient treatment for older adults suffering from PTSD. PCT showed notable treatment effects as well, but NET demonstrated more sustained results.

U2 - 10.1093/geroni/igx004.234

DO - 10.1093/geroni/igx004.234

M3 - Meeting Abstract

SN - 2399-5300

VL - 1

SP - 58

JO - Innovation in Aging

JF - Innovation in Aging

IS - 1

ER -

Narrative Exposure Therapy VS. Present-Centered Therapy with Older Adults: Results from an RCT

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this