A randomized controlled trial on cognitive restructuring and imagery modification to reduce the feeling of being contaminated in adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: The feeling of being contaminated (FBC) is a common phenomenon in survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thus far, this symptom has been neglected in research and therapy. For this reason, we developed Cognitive Restructuring and Imagery Modification (CRIM), a two-session treatment (lasting 90 and 50 min) that specifically targets the FBC. The present study examined the efficacy of the treatment.

METHODS: Thirty-four women with CSA-related PTSD (mean age = 37 years) were randomized to either the CRIM group or a waitlist control group. Primary outcomes were intensity, vividness, and uncontrollability of the FBC, associated distress, and PTSD symptoms, which were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Outcomes were measured pre- and posttreatment, and at the 4-week follow-up. (M)ANOVAs were used to compare improvements across conditions.

RESULTS: All FBC scores yielded a greater reduction in the CRIM group than the waitlist control (WL) group. Between-group effect sizes at follow-up were large and highly significant (intensity: d = 1.52, p < 0.001; vividness: d = 1.28, p < 0.001; uncontrollability: d = 1.77, p < 0.001; distress: d = 1.80, p < 0.001). PTSD symptoms also yielded a greater reduction in the CRIM group than the WL group, with large between-group effect sizes (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale: d = 0.93, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the efficacy of the newly developed CRIM in reducing the FBC and PTSD symptoms in adult survivors of CSA.