Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories for PTSD: A randomized controlled trial of 74 male veterans Abstract Design: A randomized waitlist-controlled design (n = 74) examined the efficacy of Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) among male veterans with current-month

Design: A randomized waitlist-controlled design (n = 74) examined the efficacy of Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) among male veterans with current-month flashbacks and nightmares. Volunteers were randomly assigned to immediate treatment (three 120 minute sessions of RTM), or to a three-week waiting condition before receiving the same treatment. Blinded psychometricians evaluated symptoms at intake, two weeks, and six-weeks post. Wait-listed participants were re-evaluated then treated. 65 volunteers completed treatment. Results: Of those treated, 46 (71 %) lost DSM diagnosis for PTSD by one of the following definitions: 42 persons (65%) were in complete remission (PSSI ≤ 20 and DSM criteria not met). Four others (6 %) lost DSM diagnosis or were otherwise subclinical by dichotomous criteria (PSSI < 21, and absence of flashbacks and nightmares) but non-ambiguous on PCL-M measures. Within-group RTM effect sizes (Hedges’ g) for PSS-I score changes ranged from 1.5 to 2.2. The between group comparison between the treatment group and untreated controls was significant (p < 0.001) with an effect size equivalent to two standard deviations (g = -2.121; 95% CI [-4.693 0.453]). Patient satisfaction with the intervention was high. Conclusions: RTM shows promise as a brief, cost-effective intervention for PTSD characterized primarily by intrusive symptoms.