Delivering Brief Warrior Renew Over Video Teleconferencing to Women Veterans With Military Sexual Trauma: A Pragmatic Trial

This program evaluation examines effectiveness and acceptability of an eight-session brief warrior renew treatment protocol, modified and delivered over video teleconferencing to women veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma. Due to social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there was a need to adapt and develop a virtual protocol for warrior renew to reach veterans who would otherwise not have access to care. Group exercises were redesigned for video, and class outlines were sent to participants over email. Pre- and postgroup assessments of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) yielded significant decreases with large (.84) and close to large (.77) effect sizes, respectively. Notable were decreases on the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory-9 (PTCI-9), indicating significant reduction of self-blame (p < .001). Participant feedback found that if given a choice, 80% preferred virtual format, while 20% would prefer in-person care, 96% said it was effective and convenient, and 100% felt virtual brief warrior renew should continue to be offered as an option, Dropout of 30% was higher than in-person evaluations of warrior renew; however, 7.5% dropped due to poor internet connectivity. Minus this factor, dropout (22.5%) would not be different than in-person care. Nonetheless, technological difficulties can pose a potential barrier for some. Positive results of this evaluation can inform local operations to improve access to care for those who need or prefer virtual care. Formal research on virtual warrior renew, including a comparison to a control condition, is warranted. Impact Statement Outcomes of warrior renew delivered in a virtual format demonstrated significant decreases in symptoms and positive perceptions of change. Most participants reported preferring the virtual format and might not have engaged in treatment otherwise. This information can inform local operations to continue this treatment in this format. Further evaluation is warranted.