Walter Reed's "Brain Trust Initiative": Innovation in the treatment of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Link to the original Article: Walter Reed’s Brain Trust Transforms Therapeutic Care in Treating PTSDs
TL;DR
- Walter Reed's Brain Trust Initiative: Focuses on treating PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) through innovative therapeutic care.
- Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM): A new treatment protocol being tested, aiming to transform the memory of a traumatic event.
- Comparison with Prolonged Exposure (PE): RTM is considered less stressful and more efficient than traditional PE therapy.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Integration: Incorporating VR to create a controlled environment for exposure therapy.
- Personal Experience of Dr. Roy: The lead investigator, who has personal experience with PTSD patients, including a case in Korea.
- Study Results: 58% of patients who completed the study had resolution of their PTSD, better than most traditional studies.
- Brief History of PTSD: Officially diagnosed in 1980, with historical accounts dating back to ancient times. Known as "shell shock" during World War II.
- New Urgency in Treatment: Driven by a passion to prevent PTSD-related suicides, with a target of 108 patients for the RTM research.
- Participants: Includes 9/11 survivors and warfighters from Iraq and Afghanistan, exposed to trauma from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
- Completion Date: The research is scheduled to be completed in March 2024.
- Potential Impact: RTM may provide relief to trauma survivors, restoring hope and tranquility to those who have served their country.
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Walter Reed's "Brain Trust:" not just redefining the treatment of PTSD, it's inspiring a new era of mental health care
by John Jolissaint
Introduction
In the busy corridors of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a revolution is quietly unfolding. Nestled in Bethesda, Maryland, this renowned institution is home to a groundbreaking initiative known as Walter Reed's Brain Trust. This initiative is not just a medical experiment; it's a beacon of hope for countless individuals battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
With over 8 million adults suffering from PTSD in the U.S. alone, the need for effective treatment is more urgent than ever. Walter Reed's Brain Trust is leading the way with innovative approaches that could redefine the future of PTSD treatment.
A New Approach: Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM)
Traditional treatments for PTSD often involve Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, where patients are encouraged to relive traumatic memories in a controlled environment. While effective for some, PE can be a grueling process, with success rates generally less than 50%.
Enter Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM), a novel treatment protocol being explored by Walter Reed's Brain Trust. Unlike PE, RTM aims to transform the memory of a traumatic event, making it less stressful and more manageable.
Dr. Michael Roy, the lead investigator, has seen firsthand the potential of RTM. During his deployment in Korea at the 168th Medical Battalion at Camp Humphreys, he encountered a non-commissioned officer (NCO) suffering from night sweats and nightmares. Initially misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, Dr. Roy discovered that the symptoms were manifestations of PTSD. Through proper treatment, the NCO's career was saved, and the unit's morale improved.
This personal experience fueled Dr. Roy's passion for RTM, leading to a double-blind study involving over 100 active or retired service members. The results are promising, with 58% of patients experiencing resolution of their PTSD, a measurable improvement over traditional PE studies.
According to Dr. Roy, RTM reimagines the way patients interact with trauma. RTM is a cutting-edge treatment that seeks to alter key aspects of the target memory – such as color, clarity, speed, distance, and perspective – to make it less impactful, and reduce nightmares, flashbacks, and other features of PTSD.
“The memory is reviewed in the context of an imaginal movie theater, presenting a fast 45-second black and white movie of the traumatic memory,” says Roy. “This feature generally allows the patient to watch his or her trauma through the lens of a movie-goer as opposed to being a participant in the action.”
The RTM approach has shown better results than most studies, according to the American Psychological Association. Traditionally, studies of PE are generally less than 50 percent, but RTM has shown a 58% resolution rate in PTSD patients, leading to surging interest and cautious optimism that Roy’s RTM research may achieve game-changing results in treating PTSD patients.
Virtual Reality: Bridging the Gap
The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) in PTSD treatment is another innovative approach being explored by Walter Reed's Brain Trust. By creating a controlled virtual environment, patients can confront their fears without the overwhelming stress of real-world exposure.
Imagine a soldier who has experienced the horrors of war, struggling with memories of explosions and gunfire. Through VR, this soldier can gradually face these memories in a safe and controlled setting, guided by a trained therapist. The virtual battlefield becomes a therapeutic tool, allowing the patient to process trauma without being re-traumatized.
The use of VR in PTSD treatment is not just a technological novelty; it's a measurable step forward. Studies have shown that VR can reduce PTSD symptoms by up to 70%, providing a tangible and creative solution for those who may not respond to traditional therapies.
A Rich History of PTSD: Understanding the Past
Understanding PTSD requires a journey into the past. Known as "shell shock" during World War II, PTSD's history dates back to ancient times. From the American Civil War to the Franco-Prussian War, the psychological impact of combat has been a recurring theme.
During World War II, up to half of U.S. military discharges were reportedly due to combat exhaustion, then known as "shell shock." Treatment involved PIE (Proximity, Immediacy, Expectancy) principles, emphasizing immediate care and complete recovery expectations.
The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder states that the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) mark the start of formal medical attempts to address the psychological impact of veterans exposed to combat and other trauma-related conditions.
A New Urgency: Preventing Tragedy
The urgency to treat PTSD has never been more critical. With an estimated 22 veterans committing suicide every day in the U.S., the stakes are high. Dr. Roy's RTM research is driven by a passion to prevent PTSD from claiming lives.
So far, approximately 74 of a target of 108 patients have participated in Roy’s RTM research, scheduled to be completed in March of 2024. His vast group of participants includes 9/11 survivors and warfighters who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom were exposed to severe trauma caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and an attendant rise in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Roy knows that RTM may provide relief to those trauma survivors struggling to overcome the debilitating physical and mental effects of PTSDs, restoring hope and tranquility to those who have served their country.
A Future of Hope and Healing
Walter Reed's Brain Trust is more than a research project; it's a symbol of progress, innovation, and compassion. By exploring new frontiers like RTM and VR, it's paving the way for a future where PTSD is not a life sentence but a challenge that can be overcome.
The initiative's measurable success, with 58% of patients experiencing resolution of their PTSD, is a testament to the power
of creativity and determination. It's a reminder that healing the mind is as vital as healing the body, and that the pursuit of mental well-being is a journey worth taking.
As the research continues, with completion scheduled for March 2024, the world watches with anticipation. Walter Reed's Brain Trust is not just transforming therapeutic care; it's inspiring a new era of mental health care, providing a constructive platform for people with PTSD to resolve deeply ingrained anxiety, and restoring hope and tranquility to those who have served their country. It's a game-changing initiative that promises to redefine the way we understand and treat PTSD, and its success could have far-reaching implications for mental health care worldwide.
Citations
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). PTSD: National Center for PTSD. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/
- National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (n.d.). History of PTSD in Veterans: Civil War to DSM-5. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/history_ptsd.asp
- PTSD United. (n.d.). PTSD Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.ptsdunited.org/ptsd-statistics-2/
- Roy, M. J. (2022). Walter Reed's Brain Trust Transforms Therapeutic Care in Treating PTSDs. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Retrieved from https://walterreed.tricare.mil/News-Gallery/Articles/Article/3477203/walter-reeds-brain-trust-transforms-therapeutic-care-in-treating-ptsds
- University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies. (n.d.). Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for PTSD. Retrieved from https://ict.usc.edu/prototypes/pts/
