Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that directly compared two or more bone fide psychotherapies (delivered over at least two sessions) for the treatment of adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (defined using DSM-III or DSM-IV criteria) were eligible for inclusion. Studies had to assess post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and report sufficient data to allow calculation of an effect size. Bone fide psychotherapies were defined according to pre-specified criteria including treatment delivered by trained therapist, interaction and relationship between patient and therapist, and treatment tailored to patients. Studies that compared different intensities of the same technique, psychotherapy or intervention were excluded.
Included studies evaluated a variety of psychotherapies. The review assessed post-treatment post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms only and all post-treatment measures of psychological functioning. Symptoms were assessed using a variety of scales.
One reviewer retrieved all studies comparing at least two psychotherapy treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. Then two different reviewers, blind to study results, independently selected studies evaluating bone fide psychotherapies. Disagreements were resolved with the help of another reviewer .