AboutFace: A randomized controlled evaluation of an online peer-based intervention to increase PTSD treatment engagement.
Anouk L Grubaugh, Tatiana Davidson, Ken Ruggiero et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated AboutFace, an online peer-based intervention, against a psychoeducational brochure in 330 veterans referred for PTSD treatment after a specialty-clinic intake. Participants were assessed for treatment engagement and related outcomes at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. In intention-to-treat analyses, the groups did not differ significantly. In secondary as-treated analyses, veterans who accessed AboutFace for at least 15 min were more likely to initiate treatment, did so sooner, and completed more therapy sessions than those who did not access it. The authors describe the findings as supporting potential benefit for treatment initiation.
Key findings
- Among all randomized participants, intention-to-treat analyses found no statistically significant group differences in outcomes.
- In as-treated analyses, participants accessing AboutFace for at least 15 min were more likely to initiate PTSD treatment, initiated sooner, and completed more therapy sessions.
Why it matters
Low engagement can limit the reach of available evidence-based PTSD care. The trial suggests that an accessible, peer-based online resource may help some veterans move from referral toward treatment, while the absence of intention-to-treat differences means the overall effectiveness of offering the intervention remains uncertain.
What to keep in mind
A large percentage of participants assigned to AboutFace did not comply with the intervention, and the positive findings came from as-treated rather than intention-to-treat analyses.