Educating Mental Health Professionals on Various Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Abstract

Reord ID: 129

Awards: Excellence in Research Mentoring; Excellence in Research Communication

Student Major: Nursing

Project Advisor: Paul Lewis

Abstract: Thirteen million Americans had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2020. While traditional cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are efficacious therapies for treating PTSD, the dropout rates for these treatments are as high as 54% and the nonresponse rates are as high as 44%. Complementary and alternative therapies are increasingly gaining interest as a possible alternative and adjunct therapy to conventional treatment- many of which are currently being evaluated as methods to improve PTSD symptoms. This project aims to answer the question: In adults with PTSD, what is the effect of complementary and alternative therapies versus treatment as usual on PTSD symptoms? The purpose of this educational project is to present complementary and alternative therapies for PTSD treatment to mental health professionals who can implement the therapies in practice. After a literature search consisting of systematic reviews for complementary and alternative therapies for PTSD, we created an education plan to present to the mental health specialists at the Ikron Mental Health Group which consisted of a PowerPoint presentation and diagrams of the complementary and alternative therapies. We will highlight the efficacy of each practice and a brief description of how the therapy can be implemented in treatment. Pre/Post tests will be given to determine the knowledge gained from the presentation. The outcome of the project will further practice as a supplement to standard PTSD treatments, as some are simple to include in treatment plans. Results pending.