A randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of providing self-help information to people with symptoms of acute stress disorder following a traumatic injury

Background: Patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) may develop long-term psychological difficulties. Psycho-education has been suggested to reduce the risk of post-injury disorders. Aims: We tested the efficacy of providing self-help information to a high-risk sample. Methods: A&E attenders were screened for acute stress disorder and randomised to two groups: patients (n = 116) receiving a self-help booklet and those who did not (n = 111). A sample of 'low' scorers was also included (n = 120); they did not receive a booklet. Psychological assessments were completed at baseline (within I month post-injury) and 3 and 6 months post-injury. Results: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression decreased (p<0.001) across time but there were no group differences in these measures or quality of life. However, subjective ratings of the usefulness of the self-help booklet were very high. Conclusions: This trial failed to support the efficacy of providing self-help information, as a preventative strategy to ameliorate PTSD. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.