| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial |
| Participants |
59 veterans (57 men) with military‐related PTSD in Australia |
| Interventions |
12 sessions of cognitive processing therapy (n = 30) vs treatment as usual (n = 29) |
| Outcomes |
CAPS, PCL, BDI‐II, STAI‐State, DAR‐7, AUDIT, PTCI, ADAS, WHOQOL |
| Notes |
Experienced therapists delivered therapy and treatment adherence was assessed. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Comment: The method of random sequence generation was not reported. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Low risk |
Comment: A central method of allocation was employed. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
Comment: Reasons for leaving the study were fully reported, ITT analyses were performed. Appropriate methods of imputing data were used. 9 participants dropped out of each group. Reasons for attrition are not fully reported. |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) |
Low risk |
Comment: All specified outcomes were reported. |
| Other bias |
High risk |
Comment: Different therapists provided CPT and TAU. |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
Comment: Participants were aware of their allocation. |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes |
Unclear risk |
Quote: "All assessments were conducted by an independent clinical assessor blind to allocation and treatment. To maintain blindness at post‐treatment and 3 month follow‐up appointments the participants were reminded not to reveal what treatment they had received." |
