# A Comparison of the Efficacy of Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy and Disorder-specific Therapy in Veterans with PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression

> **NIH VA I01** · RALPH H JOHNSON VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## 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. However, CBT is underutilized due in large part to the
complexity and number of disorder-specific treatments (DSTs) protocols across disorders, as
well as extensive training needed to apply them to different diagnoses and different
combinations of diagnostic comorbidities. Recently, Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT)
was developed as a transdiagnostic intervention to address each of the depressive/anxiety
disorders and their comorbidities in Veterans within a single treatment protocol. Initial studies of
TBT, including a funded CSR&D Career Development Award (CDA), demonstrate that the
treatment is efficacious in reducing psychiatric symptomatology and related impairments in
Veterans presenting with a wide range of diagnoses. Preliminary findings also support the ease
of dissemination and implementation of TBT by DVA providers. Although additional study is
needed with larger samples and improved comparison groups, the transdiagnostic approach in
TBT may address many of the current limitations of the DSTs discussed above. Primary Aims
in Research Plan: The proposed study aims to test the non-inferiority of TBT and DSTs in
improving psychiatric symptomatology and related impairments. It is hypothesized that TBT will
result non-inferior improvements in psychiatric symptomatology and related impairments
compared to the DST comparison groups. A secondary aim is to compare the feasibility and
acceptability of TBT and DSTs. Participant population: The participants of the proposed study
will include 216 Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder
(MDD), and/or panic disorder and agoraphobia (PD/AG). General inclusion criteria involve: 1) a
diagnosis of a PTSD, MDD, or PD/AG; and 2) a willingness and competence to provide
informed consent for research participation. Procedures to be used: A randomized controlled
trial (RCT) with TBT and 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 45-60-minute appointments of psychotherapy for 12 weeks, and
5) self-report assessments of psychiatric symptomatology and impairment at intake, mid-
treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Process variables also will be investigated.
Anticipated Impacts on Veterans Health Care: Upon investigation with supported efficacy
and non-inferiority as compared to DSTs, TBT will represent an excellent treatment option within
the DVA in terms of providing a single protocol that is easy to disseminate ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10119150
- **Project number:** 5I01CX001846-02
- **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:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10119150

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10119150, A Comparison of the Efficacy of Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy and Disorder-specific Therapy in Veterans with PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression (5I01CX001846-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10119150. Licensed CC0.

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