Scholars Archive

Title

Telephone-Based versus In-Person Delivery of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Veterans with Chronic Multisymptom Illness: A Controlled, Randomized Trial

Authors

Lisa M. McAndrew, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Lauren M. Greenberg
Donald S. Ciccone
Drew A. Helmer
Helena K. Chandler

Author ORCID Identifier

Lisa M. McAndrew: 0000-0002-1350-8773

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2017.1337594

Abstract

Background:The goal of this randomized clinical trial was to examine the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral stress reduction treatment for reducing disability among veterans with chronic multisymptom illness (CMI).Method: Veterans (N=128) who endorsed symptoms of CMI were randomized to: usual care (n=43), in-person (n=42) or telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral stress management (n=43). Assessments were conducted at baseline, three months, and twelve months. The primary outcome was limitation in roles at work and home (i.e., ‘role physical’). Reductions in catastrophizing cognitions were evaluated as a mechanism of action. Results: Intent-to-treat analyses showed no statistically significant main effect (F(2, 164)=.58, p=.56) or interaction effect (F(4,164)=.94, p=.45) for role physical. Over time, veterans improved in their physical function (F(2,170)=5.34, p2_partial=.06), PTSD symptoms (F(2,170)=9.39, p2_partial=.10), depressive symptoms (F(2,170)=10.81, p2_partial=.11), and physical symptoms (F(2, 172)=12.65, p2_partial=.13), but these improvements did not differ across study arms over time. Completer analyses yielded similar results. There were no differences in catastrophizing between arms. Conclusion: Findings suggest stress reduction may not be the right target for improving disability among veterans with CMI. Veterans with CMI may need intervention that directly impacts medical self-management to improve disability.

Comments

Publisher Acknowledgement:

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Military Behavioral Health on 7/11/17. The version of record can be found here: McAndrew, L.M., Greenberg, L., Ciccione, D., Helmer, D.A., & Chandler, H. (2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy for Veterans with chronic multisymptom illness. Military Behavioral Health, 6, 56-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2017.1337594

Recommended Citation

McAndrew, Lisa M.; Greenberg, Lauren M.; Ciccone, Donald S.; Helmer, Drew A.; and Chandler, Helena K., "Telephone-Based versus In-Person Delivery of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Veterans with Chronic Multisymptom Illness: A Controlled, Randomized Trial" (2017). Educational & Counseling Psychology Faculty Scholarship. 14.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/edpsych_fac_scholar/14