Efficacy of trauma-focused therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder in disaster-affected regions: insights from Minamisoma, Japan

Abstract

This study investigated the implementation and efficacy of trauma-focused psychotherapies at a psychiatric clinic in Minamisoma City, Fukushima, after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear disaster. Analyzing medical records from April 2016 to March 2021, the authors identified a significant dropout rate of 43.2% among post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients within the first 5 years. These findings highlight the challenges and effectiveness of trauma-focused treatments like prolonged exposure therapy in disaster-stricken areas, where PTSD incidence is notably high. This study emphasizes the necessity to establish robust therapeutic frameworks capable of addressing PTSD in such contexts, considering the limited coverage of comprehensive psychotherapies by Japan's healthcare system.