Randomized clinical trial pilot study of prolonged exposure versus present centred affect regulation therapy for PTSD and anger problems with male military combat veterans.

A randomized controlled trial pilot study (www.ClinicalTrials.org; NCT01228539) with N = 31 U.S. male military recent combat veterans with PTSD and severe anger problems was conducted comparing 10-session individual therapy versions of Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET) versus prolonged exposure (PE). TARGET had fewer drop-outs than PE (i.e., 29% vs. 64%). At post-test, improvements were found for both interventions in increased emotion regulation and hope, and reduced PTSD symptoms, hostility, experiential avoidance, and mental health problems. At a four-month follow-up, comparable proportions (approximately 40%) of recipients in each therapy maintained clinically significant gains. Self-rated expectancy of therapeutic outcome and working alliance was comparable for both PE and TARGET early in therapy, at mid-treatment, and at the end of treatment. While preliminary, these results suggest that TARGET may be a viable therapeutic option for male military veterans with PTSD and anger problems.