Notes from Nick: Updated on 6/6/23 with Phase IV Data

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established a long-term partnership to commission AHRQ to utilize its Evidence-based Practice Centers to develop update reviews to inform the VA’s PTSD-Repository – a publicly accessible clinical trials database maintained by the National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD).

The 2022 Report and Evidence Tables (Appendix F, G1, & G2-3) are included in the downloadable .zip file. For more information, visit AHRQ's page: https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/ptsd-pharm-treatment/research

This dataset provides results for between-arm comparisons of continuous measures. Included is information on score differences, p-value for statistical test, and study-reported effect sizes.

Where possible, the between-arm standardized effect size was calculated, using Hedges’ g. We calculated Hedges’ g based on the following (in order of preference): 1) adjusted mean difference; 2) follow-up scores; 3) unadjusted mean difference; 4) change scores. For the calculated effect size, information on the basis for calculation is included along with measures of variance. Negative values for Hedges’ g indicate a larger decrease (or lower follow-up score) in the first arm than in the second arm, while positive values indicate the reverse.

Each comparison is on a separate row, and pairwise as well as omnibus (multi-arm) comparisons are included. There are also separate rows for each measure, time point and analysis type.

Learn about this resource that brings together information from over 500 published studies on a wide range of PTSD treatments.

Each study in the PTSD-Repository was coded for risk of bias (ROB) in specific domains as well as an overall risk of bias for the study. Detailed information about the specific coding strategy is available in Comparative Effectiveness Review [CER] No. 207, Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. (See our "Risk of Bias" data story.)
Most domains were rated as Yes (i.e., minimal risk of bias), No (i.e., high risk of bias) or Unclear (i.e., bias could not be determined). The overall study rating is based on the domains and is coded as low, medium or high risk of bias. The 4 domains that were included as components of the overall rating include: Selection bias--randomization adequate, allocation concealment adequate, groups similar at baseline and whether they used intention to treat analyses; Performance bias--care providers masked and patients masked; Detection bias--outcome assessors masked; Attrition bias--overall attrition less than or equal to 20% vs over 20%; differential attrition less than or equal to 15% vs over 15%.
Additional items assessed (but not considered as part of the overall rating) include: Reporting bias--all prespecified outcomes reported; Reporting bias--method for handling dropouts; Outcome measures equal valid and reliable; Study reports adequate treatment fidelity based on measurements by independent raters.

Identifying information about each study, including citation, PubMed ID, PTSDPubs ID, ClinicalTrials.gov ID, and funding source(s).

Download this free, step-by-step guide for conducting meta-analyses focused on mental health research. Dr. Pim Cuijpers reviews each element of performing meta-analyses, including: defining research questions, searching bibliographical databases, selecting studies and retrieving data, determining risk of bias, calculating and pooling effect sizes, examining heterogeneity and potential publication bias, and writing and publishing meta-analyses.

The Sample Characteristics dataset includes information on the participants who are included in the studies. This information is provided at the study level—meaning, data are not broken down into the specific treatment arms such as the intervention or control groups. Use this dataset if you want to learn more about the number of participants in the study; inclusion and exclusion criteria related to substance use and suicidality; baseline clinical characteristics such as PTSD severity, trauma type, military status, and comorbidities; and, basic demographic information such as age, gender or race for the sample as a whole (not individual participants). Visualizations made from this dataset will be based on the 496 RCTs included in the PTSD-Repository. Values reported as "NA" or not reported "NR" by the study are null values (empty cells). Data is at the study level.

The Study Interventions dataset includes information about each of [NUMBER] specific treatment arms that were studied in all [NUMBER] RCTs. Each study arm was coded to indicate the type of intervention or comparison condition. This dataset includes the study-level Study Class as well as individual variables for each category of treatment, coded as Yes or No for each arm. Study arm treatment category variables are as follows: Pharmacotherapy (as well as a subclass such as antidepressant, antianxiety, etc.); Psychotherapy (as well as a subclass to identify trauma-focused or non-trauma-focused therapy); Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH; as well as a subclass such as relaxation or meditation); Nonpharmacologic Biological; Nonpharmacologic Cognitive; Collaborative Care; Other Treatments; Control
The Study Intervention dataset also includes information on the format of the treatment (individual, group, couples, mixed); treatment delivery method (in person, by phone, by video, technology alone, technology assisted, written or mixed); dose or amount of treatment and, treatment completion and adherence. Use this dataset to learn about treatment studies of a particular type

Each record is an arm of the study, labeled as A, B, C, or D. Values abstracted as not applicable ("NA") or not reported ("NR") from the study are null values (empty cells).

Records references to secondary studies and companion publications included with primary studies in the PTSD-Repository.
These secondary, referenced studies may or may not have contributed data to the abstraction of the listed primary study. The relationship of the secondary study to the primary study is described in some cases in the `Secondary Study Relationship` column.