A Systematic Review of Single-Session Psychological Interventions (‘Debriefing’) following Trauma
Abstract
Background: Single-session psychological interventions such as psychological debriefing have become widely used following traumatic events. The evidence for their effectiveness has been widely debated. This review aimed to consider the evidence for the effectiveness of one-off early interventions within 1 month of a traumatic event. Methods: A systematic review using the standard Cochrane Collaboration methodology. Literature searches of various databases were performed to identify randomised controlled trials. The methodological quality of the studies identified was determined using standard measures, and the results were pooled to consider the overall evidence for effectiveness. Results: Eleven randomised controlled trials were found, all of individual or couple interventions. Three studies associated the intervention with a positive outcome, 6 demonstrated no difference in outcome between intervention and non-intervention groups and 2 showed some negative outcomes in the intervention group (these studies had the longest follow-up periods). The methodological quality of the studies varied widely, but was generally poor. This review suggests that early optimism for brief early psychological interventions including debriefing was misplaced and that it should not be advocated for routine use. There remains an urgent need for randomised controlled trials of group debriefing and other early interventions.
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Two reviews investigated the efficacy of single-session debriefing interventions, and neither found this approach to be beneficial for distress-related outcomes including PTSD diagnosis.
“Two reviews investigated the efficacy of single-session debriefing interventions, and neither found this approach to be beneficial for distress-related outcomes including PTSD diagnosis.59 60”
From Impact of healthcare interventions on distress following acute musculoskeletal/orthopaedic injury: A scoping review of systematic reviews (2024) · cites this paper as [60]
Some trauma interventions can be ineffective or even harmful, especially in the acute phase after the traumatic event.
“However, since research has shown that some trauma interventions can be ineffective or even harmful, especially in the acute phase after the traumatic event [5,6], only psychological interventions with empirically verified efficacy should be applied during emergency situations.”
From Treating children traumatized by war and tsunami: a comparison between exposure therapy and meditation-relaxation in north-east Sri Lanka (2009) · cites this paper as [5]
Single-session psychological debriefing administered within 3 months following traumatic events does not reduce distress or prevent PTSD.
“Single-session psychological debriefing [7,8] as well as multiple sessions of preventive Behavioral Therapy [9] administered within 3 months following traumatic events do not reduce distress, or prevent PTSD.”
From Efficacy of oxytocin administration early after psychotrauma in preventing the development of PTSD: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial (2014) · cites this paper as [8]
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- Authors
- Rose, S., Bisson, J., & Wessely, S.
- Affiliations
- University Hospital of Wales (GB)
- King's College Hospital (GB)
- Venue
- Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2003
- Volume
- 72
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 176-184
- ISSN
- 0033-3190 (ISSN-L)
- 1423-0348
- OpenAlex
- W2133577113
- Cited by
- 196
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 2.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Keywords
- psychological debriefing, trauma, early psychological intervention, brief intervention, post-traumatic stress, intervention effectiveness, methodological quality of trials, group debriefing
- MeSH terms
- Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Humans, Psychotherapy, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
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