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Mavranezouli I, et al. Psychological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: a network meta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2020;50(4):542-555. PMID 32063234

One-paragraph summary

Ninety trials (6,560 participants) and 22 interventions were synthesized in a network meta-analysis of adult PTSD. Outcomes were symptom change and remission at treatment end and 1–4 months. Evidence was rated moderate-to-low quality.

Key findings

  • EMDR versus waitlist: SMD −2.07 (95% CrI −2.70 to −1.44).
  • Trauma-focused CBT versus waitlist: SMD −1.46 (95% CrI −1.87 to −1.05).
  • EMDR and TF-CBT retained benefit at 1–4 months; evidence for many other nodes was inconclusive or sparse.

Limitations

  • Network rankings depend on transitivity across populations, trauma types and comparators.
  • Waitlist-referenced effects do not establish superiority over active trauma-focused therapy.
  • Long-term, functional, safety and dropout outcomes were limited.

Why it matters

This record changed the evidentiary baseline for network meta-analysis of adult psychological treatments; later claims should begin from this result rather than earlier narrative consensus.

Cited by wiki pages

  • overview
  • comparative-psychotherapy-evidence
  • emdr
  • prolonged-exposure