Abbreviated PTSD Checklist (PCL) as a guide to clinical response

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate two abbreviated versions of the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as an index of change related to treatment. Method Data for this study were from 181 primary care patients diagnosed with PTSD who enrolled in a large randomized trial. These individuals received a collaborative care intervention (CBT and/or medication) or usual care and were followed 6 and 12 months later to assess their symptoms and functioning. The sensitivity of the PCL versions (i.e., full, 2-item, 6-item), correlations between the PCL versions and other measures, and use of each as indicators of reliable and clinically significant change were evaluated. Results All versions had high sensitivity (.92-.99). Correlations among the three versions were high, but the 6-item version corresponded more closely to the full version. Both shortened versions were adequate indicators of reliable and clinically significant change. Conclusion Whereas prior research has shown the 2-item or 6-item versions of the PCL to be good PTSD screening instruments for primary care settings, the 6-item version appears to be the better alternative for tracking treatment-related change.

Pilot study of the effects of mixed light touch manual therapies on active duty soldiers with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and injury to the head

“…According to criteria developed by Hoge et al (2004), the presence of one re-experiencing symptom, three avoidance and or emotional numbing symptoms, and two hyper-arousal symptoms, along with an overall severity score of 50 or above, indicates PTSD. Not surprisingly, PCL-M scores correlate closely with scores related to other tests of mental health functioning rather than to measures of physical symptoms (Lang et al, 2012).…”

“…Whether the PCL underestimates or overestimates treatment-related change in comparison with Clinician Administered PTSD Scale is unclear (Lang et al, 2012). Typically, PCL scores fluctuate from session to session as might be expected with a measure of emotional symptoms in a population diagnosed with PTSD (Forbes et al, 2001;Monson et al, 2008).…”

Military-Tailored Yoga for Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder†

“…However, Lang et al recommend using a cutoff of 30 in populations where trauma exposure is high, as it has a sensitivity of 0.98. 32 Research also suggests that the prevalence of PTSD can be as high as 15% among individuals scoring 30–34, 16–39% among individuals scoring 34–44, and 40% among individuals scoring 45–50. 33 Excluded were individuals with noncombat-related PTSD, those unable to mentally or physically perform yoga, and those who were pregnant.…”

Feasibility and Acceptability of Mindfulness for Survivors of Homicide and Their Providers

“…All transcribed focus group notes were reviewed using the “grounded theory” approach, reviewing the data for saturated themes. 30 In addition, participants were asked to complete the Abbreviated PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C) 31 at baseline and the Trait Anger subscale of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-II) 32 at baseline and at completion of the 8 sessions and day-long retreat. The PCL-C has been validated for diverse populations and was chosen to reduce participant burden since we’re only collecting preliminary outcome data.…”