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Selected Works of Kelly L. Sullivan
Article
Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Treatment of Pain Secondary to Symptoms of Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
European Journal of Psychotraumatology (2014)
  • Kevin E. Kip, University of South Florida
  • Laney Rosenzweig, University of South Florida
  • Diego F. Hernandez, University of South Florida
  • Amy Shuman, Western New England University
  • David M. Diamond, University of South Florida
  • Sue Ann Girling, University of South Florida
  • Kelly L. Sullivan, Georgia Southern University
  • Trudy R. Wittenberg, Georgia Southern University
  • Ann M. Witt, PieWiseLiving
  • Cecile A. Lengacher, University of South Florida
  • Brian Anderson, Pasco County Veterans Service Office
  • Susan C. McMillan, University of South Florida
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Abstract
Background: As many as 70% of veterans with chronic pain treated within the US Veterans Administration (VA) system may have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and conversely, up to 80% of those with PTSD may have pain. We describe pain experienced by US service members and veterans with symptoms of PTSD, and report on the effect of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a new, brief exposure-based therapy, on acute pain reduction secondary to treatment of symptoms of PTSD.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial of ART versus an attention control (AC) regimen was conducted among 45 US service members/veterans with symptoms of combat-related PTSD. Participants received a mean of 3.7 sessions of ART.

Results: Mean age was 41.0 + 12.4 years and 20% were female. Most veterans (93%) reported pain. The majority (78%) used descriptive terms indicative of neuropathic pain, with 29% reporting symptoms of a concussion or feeling dazed. Mean pre-/post-change on the Pain Outcomes Questionnaire (POQ) was -16.9±16.6 in the ART group versus -0.7±14.2 in the AC group (p=0.0006). Among POQ subscales, treatment effects with ART were reported for pain intensity (effect size = 1.81, p=0.006), pain-related impairment in mobility (effect size = 0.69, p=0.01), and negative affect (effect size = 1.01, p=0.001).

Conclusions: Veterans with symptoms of combat-related PTSD have a high prevalence of significant pain, including neuropathic pain. Brief treatment of symptoms of combat-related PTSD among veterans by use of ART appears to acutely reduce concomitant pain.
Keywords
  • PTSD,
  • Psychological trauma,
  • Clinical trials,
  • Combat,
  • Exposure therapy,
  • Eye movements,
  • Imagery rescripting,
  • Pain,
  • Prevalence,
  • Psychotherapy
Disciplines
Publication Date
May, 2014
DOI
10.3402/ejpt.v5.24066
Publisher Statement
©2014 Kevin E. Kip et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unreported (CC-BY 4.0) License, allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, for any purpose, even commercially, under the condition that appropriate credit is given, that a link to the license is provided, and that you indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. Article obtained from European Journal of Psychotraumalogy.
Citation Information
Kevin E. Kip, Laney Rosenzweig, Diego F. Hernandez, Amy Shuman, et al.. "Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Treatment of Pain Secondary to Symptoms of Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder" European Journal of Psychotraumatology Vol. 5 Iss. 1 (2014) ISSN: 2000-8066
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kelly_sullivan/34/