New Therapy Was Found To Reduce The Likelihood Of PTSD Symptoms And Headache Disability In Veterans
In a recent study conducted by the University of Texas, researchers developed a new therapy– known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBTH)– meant to specifically target post-traumatic headaches following traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Miraculously, this same therapy was also found to drastically reduce the likelihood of related disabilities and co-occurring symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans.
The study was facilitated at the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, where study participants all suffered from persistent PTSD symptoms and headaches.
Once identified, the participants were then assigned to one of three treatment courses: the usual care facilitated at the Veterans hospital, CPT, or CBTH.
The usual care can consist of injections, pain medications, acupuncture, physical therapy, massages, and more.
CPT, also known as cognitive processing therapy, is the leading treatment used for PTSD. It teaches patients how to evaluate and alter their own trauma-related thoughts.
Finally, CBTH, the treatment developed by the study researchers, instead uses cognitive behavioral therapy concepts including relaxation, goal-setting, and planning to reduce headaches and improve mental state.
The researchers discovered that, compared to the standard care practices, CBTH participants reported a rapid decrease in disability with zero impact on day-to-day function.
CBTH patients also displayed fewer symptoms of PTSD than the patients who underwent CPT.
Kalim – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purpose only, not the actual person
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Interestingly, though, CBTH did not actually reduce the frequency of headaches or their intensity.
Instead, Don McGeary– the study’s lead author– explained how the therapy simply allowed patients to regain a sense of confidence and autonomy over their bodies.
“If you can improve people’s belief that they can control their headache, they function better,” McGeary said.
“That’s because when dealing with a long-term, disabling pain condition, people make decisions about whether they are going to actively engage in any kind of activity– especially if the activity exacerbates the pain condition.”
“They make those decisions based on their perceptions of their ability to handle their pain.”
And now, with CBTH’s benefits proven within the South Texas VA, the researchers hope to test this new therapy with a more diverse patient group.
“We need more women, more racial and ethnic diversity, veterans and active military of different branches with varying comorbidities, in different geographic regions attached to different hospitals and medical systems– because we are comparing to usual care,” McGeary explained.
To read the study’s complete findings published in JAMA Neurology, you can visit the link here.
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