Abstract
BACKGROUND: Available empirical evidence on participant-level factors associated with dropout from psychotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is both limited and inconclusive. More comprehensive understanding of the various factors that contribute to study dropout from cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus (CBT-TF) is crucial for enhancing treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Using an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) design, we examined participant-level predictors of study dropout from CBT-TF interventions for PTSD. METHODS: A comprehensive systematic literature search was undertaken to identify randomised controlled trials comparing CBT-TF with waitlist control, treatment-as-usual or another therapy. Academic databases were screened from conception until 11 January 2021. Eligible interventions were required to be individual and in-person delivered. Participants were considered dropouts if they did not complete the post-treatment assessment. FINDINGS: The systematic literature search identified 81 eligible studies (n=3330). Data were pooled from 25 available CBT-TF studies comprising 823 participants. Overall, 221 (27%) of the 823 dropped out. Of 581 civilians, 133 (23%) dropped out, as did 75 (42%) of 178 military personnel/veterans. Bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated that military personnel/veterans (RR 2.37) had a significantly greater risk of dropout than civilians. Furthermore, the chance of dropping out significantly decreased with advancing age (continuous; RR 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the risk of premature termination from CBT-TF among younger adults and military veterans/personnel. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Understanding predictors can inform the development of retention strategies tailored to at-risk subgroups, enhance engagement, improve adherence and yield better treatment outcomes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | BMJ mental health |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Nov 2024 |
Keywords
- PSYCHIATRY
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