This pilot study compared the efficacy of two treatments for postraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). Data were analyzed for 22 patients from a university-based clinic serving the outside community (predominantly rape and crime victims) who completed at least one active session of treatment after three preparatory sessions. Results showed both approaches produced a significant reduction in PTSD and depression symptoms, which were maintained at three-month follow-up. Successful treatment was faster with EMDR as a larger number of people (7 of 10) had a 70% reduction in PTSD symptoms after three active sessions compared to 2 of 12 with PE. EMDR appeared to be better tolerated as the dropout rate was significantly lower in those randomized to EMDR versus PE (0 of 10 vs. 3 of 10). However all patients who remained in treatment with PE had a reduction in PTSD scores. Finally, Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS) ratings decreased significantly during the initial session of EMDR, but changed little during PE. Postsession SUDS were significantly lower for EMDR than for PE. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

A critical review is presented of 12 clinical trials with Hydergine (a hydrogenated ergot alkaloid preparation) in the treatment of dementia. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of improvement in symptoms showed that Hydergine consistently produced statistically significant (p less than or equal to 0.05) improvement in 13 symptoms associated with dementia. However, because of the small magnitude of the improvement and the absence of indications of long-term benefit, Hydergine would seem to be of minor value in dementia therapy. Further research with better methodology and design might lead to a different conclusion.

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This investigation compared the relative effectiveness of two social skill training packages for patients diagnosed either schizophrenic or non-psychotic. Patients who scored low on a global measure of social skill were randomly assigned to one of three training conditions: social skills training with modeling, social skills training without modeling, and a behavior rehearsal control. Effects of training were assessed on brief role playing and extended interaction tasks. The results indicated that both social skills training programs had positive effects. However, modeling was essential in improving the performance of schizophrenics, but was unnecessary for non-psychotics. The effects of training transferred to semistructured inter-personal conversations. The importance of designing social skill training programs for relatively homogeneous populations was discussed.