# A Comparison of Group Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (G-TBT) to Disorder-Specific Group Psychotherapies in the Recovery of Veterans with PTSD, Major Depression, and Related Conditions

> **NIH VA I01** · RALPH H JOHNSON VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Relevance of Research Plan: One priority area for the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is
to provide quick, effective, recovery-oriented treatments for depressive/anxiety disorders,
representing the most common and impairing psychiatric disorders in Veterans. Cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) has demonstrated reliable efficacy in treating depressive/anxiety
disorders and their related impairments as well as encouraging social reintegration. However,
CBT is underutilized due in large part to the complexity and number of disorder-specific
treatments (DSTs) across disorders, as well as extensive training needed to apply them to
different diagnoses as well as different diagnoses with different comorbidities. In addition, the
focus of DSTs and their requirement to segregate patients by disorder limit the use of group
CBT in the DVA and its established benefits to patient access and social reintegration. Recently,
Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT) was developed in the DVA to address overall
psychiatric well-being and rehabilitation in Veterans, without limiting treatment to a single
psychiatric diagnosis. Initial studies of TBT show the treatment is effective in reducing
impairment across multiple domains of functioning, including health and diet, work and financial
situation, recreation and community involvement, and social and family relationships in Veterans
presenting with a wide range of diagnoses, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders,
PTSD, and related comorbidities. In addition, a recent study demonstrated that TBT could be
easily disseminated to DVA providers and implemented with DVA patients. Although additional
study is needed, the transdiagnostic approach in TBT, including a newly developed Group TBT
(G-TBT), may address many of the current limitations of the DSTs and lead to improved
outcomes for Veterans with PTSD and/or depression. Primary Aims in Research Plan: The
proposed study aims to: 1) test equivalence of G-TBT and Group DSTs (G-DSTs) in improving
impairment and social reintegration as well as reducing psychiatric symptomatology, and 2)
compare the access, feasibility, and acceptability of G-TBT and G-DSTs. Participant
population: The participants of the proposed study will include 208 DVA patients with PTSD
and/or major depressive disorder. Procedures to be used: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
with G-TBT and G-DSTs conditions will be completed. Participation in the RCT will involve
completion of: 1) consent documentation, 2) intake assessment, 3) random assignment to
treatment condition, 4) weekly 90-minute appointments of group psychotherapy for 12 weeks,
and 5) self-report assessments of quality life, social reintegration, and psychiatric
symptomatology at intake, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Anticipated
Impacts on Veterans Health Care: Upon investigation with supported efficacy and non-
inferiority as compared to G-DSTs, G-TBT will represent an excellent treatment option with...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10000778
- **Project number:** 5I01RX002910-02
- **Recipient organization:** RALPH H JOHNSON VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel F. Gros
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-10-01 → 2023-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10000778

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10000778, A Comparison of Group Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (G-TBT) to Disorder-Specific Group Psychotherapies in the Recovery of Veterans with PTSD, Major Depression, and Related Conditions (5I01RX002910-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10000778. Licensed CC0.

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