Addressing co-occurring suicidal thoughts and behaviors and posttraumatic stress disorder in evidence-based psychotherapies for adults: A systematic review

Randomized controlled trial investigating web-based, therapist delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for adults with suicidal ideation

Introduction

Promising preliminary evidence suggests that EMDR may reduce suicidal ideation (SI) when used to treat Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and trauma symptoms in the context of acute mental health crises. EMDR has never been tested specifically for treating SI, and there is a lack of data regarding the safety and effectiveness of web-based, therapist-delivered EMDR in populations with known SI. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of web-based, therapist-delivered EMDR, targeting experiences associated with suicidal thinking. Secondary objectives included examining the effect of EMDR treatment on symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, emotional dysregulation, and dissociation, as well as safety and attrition.

Methods

This randomized control trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID number: NCT04181047) assigned adult outpatients reporting SI to either a web-based EMDR intervention or a treatment as usual (TAU) group. TAU included primary and mental health services available within the Canadian public health system. Participants in the EMDR group received up to 12 web-based EMDR desensitization sessions, delivered twice weekly during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021-2023). The Health Research Ethics Board at the University of Alberta approved the protocol prior to initiation of data collection for this study (protocol ID number: Pro00090989).

Results

Forty-two adult outpatients received either EMDR (n=20) or TAU (n=22). Participants reported a high prevalence of early onset and chronic SI, and there was a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity. In the EMDR group, median SI, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic symptom scale scores decreased from baseline to the four month follow-up. In the TAU group, only the median SI and posttraumatic symptom scale scores decreased from baseline to four month follow up. Although sample size precludes direct comparison, there were numerically fewer adverse events and fewer dropouts in the EMDR group relative to the TAU group.

Conclusion

Study results provide promising preliminary evidence that web-based EMDR may be a viable delivery approach to address SI. In this complex population, a short treatment course was associated with reductions of SI and other symptoms across multiple diagnostic categories. Further investigation is warranted to verify and extend these results.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04181047?id=NCT04181047&rank=1, identifier NCT04181047.

A clinician's guide to the 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder

A clinical practice guideline (CPG) is a rigorously established set of recommendations based on currently available evidence about the efficacy, safety, acceptability, and feasibility of interventions to assist with clinical decision-making. The 2023 Department of Veterans Affairs /Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder is described herein. The CPG recommendations are accompanied by a clinical algorithm, which incorporates principles of evidence-based practice, shared decision-making, and functional and contextual assessments of goals and outcomes. An overview of the CPG recommendations is combined with a discussion of questions that clinicians and patients may face in implementing the CPG and suggestions for how to effectively work with the CPG.

Blending Video Therapy and Digital Self-Help for Individuals With Suicidal Ideation: Intervention Design and a Qualitative Study Within the Development Process

BACKGROUND

Digital formats have the potential to enhance accessibility to care for individuals with suicidal ideation. However, digital self-help interventions have faced limitations, including small effect sizes in reducing suicidal ideation, low adherence, and safety concerns.

OBJECTIVE

Therefore, we aimed to develop a remote blended cognitive behavioral therapy intervention that specifically targets suicidal ideation by blending video therapy with web-based self-help modules. The objective of this paper is to describe the collaborative development process and the resulting intervention and treatment rationale.

METHODS

First, we compiled intervention components from established treatment manuals designed for people with suicidal ideation or behavior, resulting in the development of 11 drafts of web-based modules. Second, we conducted a qualitative study, involving 5 licensed psychotherapists and 3 lay counselors specialized in individuals with suicidal ideation who reviewed these module drafts. Data were collected using the think-aloud method and semistructured interviews, and a qualitative content analysis was performed. The 4 a priori main categories of interest were blended care for individuals with suicidal ideation, contents of web-based modules, usability of modules, and layout. Subcategories emerged inductively from the interview transcripts. Finally, informed by previous treatment manuals and qualitative findings, we developed the remote blended treatment program.

RESULTS

The participants suggested that therapists should thoroughly prepare the web-based therapy with patients to tailor the therapy to each individual's needs. Participants emphasized that the web-based modules should explain concepts in a simple manner, convey empathy and validation, and include reminders for the safety plan. In addition, participants highlighted the need for a simple navigation and layout. Taking these recommendations into account, we developed a fully remote blended cognitive behavioral therapy intervention comprising 12 video therapy sessions and up to 31 web-based modules. The treatment involves collaboratively developing a personalized treatment plan to address individual suicidal drivers.

CONCLUSIONS

This remote treatment takes advantage of the high accessibility of digital formats while incorporating full sessions with a therapist. In a subsequent pilot trial, we will seek input from individuals with lived experience and therapists to test the feasibility of the treatment.

Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Links Trauma Exposure and Suicidal Behaviors Among Sexual Minority Populations: A New Target in Suicide Prevention?

Exposure to potentially traumatic events and posttraumatic stress are known risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). Research suggests that sexual minorities are disproportionately exposed to traumatic events and experience greater STB than their heterosexual peers, although few studies have explored connections between these parallel disparities. Further, existing literature may implicate complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) as a potential mechanism in the trauma-suicide connection among sexual minorities. This study uses a sample from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III; n = 1351) to test structural equation models for associations between trauma exposure, heterosexist discrimination, and CPTSD with suicide attempt status. We found CPTSD mediated associations between exposure to traumatic events and presence of a lifetime suicide attempt among sexual minority male and female samples. Discrimination demonstrated a synergistic effect on the association between trauma exposure and CPTSD, but, among males, CPTSD did not fully explain associations between discrimination and suicide attempts. Our findings suggest that CPTSD should be considered an important mechanism in the trauma-suicide connection for sexual minorities and may be a potentially important target for suicide prevention and that interventions should address the influence of discrimination on traumatic stress in this high-risk population.

Understanding veteran barriers to specialty outpatient PTSD clinical care

OBJECTIVE

Veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly report general and veteran-specific barriers to treatment such as stigma and challenges with navigating the Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) system. This study aimed to characterize barriers endorsed by a national sample of veterans seeking care in VHA PTSD specialty outpatient clinics, as well as to examine the impact of demographics on endorsed barriers.

METHODS

This study included 17,069 veterans referred to PTSD specialty outpatient clinics in the VHA during Fiscal Year 2019. Barriers to care, demographics, clinical concerns, and PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) were assessed at intake.

RESULTS

Veterans (mean age=47.6 years, 83.3% male) endorsed an average of 2.39 barriers. The most commonly endorsed barriers included difficulty interacting with others (37.9%), difficulty being in public (33.8%), work (30.3%), concern for finances (20%), and difficulty getting out of bed (19.5%). A significant minority of veterans (22%) endorsed no barriers. Male sex (23.1%) and White race (23.6%) were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting no barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing multi-faceted barriers for veterans seeking treatment in PTSD specialty clinics. Findings also highlight the potential importance of tailoring strategies to reduce barriers based on demographic and clinical characteristics such as race, sex, and degree of avoidance. Future research should seek to longitudinally examine the impact of barriers on treatment engagement.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and risk of suicidal behavior: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and (i) death by suicide, (ii) attempted suicide (AS), and (iii) suicidal ideation (SI).

METHODS

The systematic review identified seven studies on PTSD and suicide, 33 studies for AS, and 20 studies for SI. A series of stratified meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled effects, in addition to meta-regression to investigate sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A higher relative risk of suicide was evident among those diagnosed with PTSD (RR = 2.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-3.94]), with strongest associations among combat veterans (RR = 3.97, 95% CI 2.22-7.10). A lower relative risk of suicide among those with PTSD and co-morbid psychiatric conditions was evident (RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.63-0.86). A strong association between PTSD and attempted suicide (RR = 4.05, 95% CI 3.14-5.23) and suicidal ideation (RR = 2.91, 95% CI 2.22-3.82) was also found, with a consistently strong association among those with co-morbid psychiatric conditions and non-clinical cohorts.

CONCLUSION

This review found a strong association between PTSD and death by suicide, attempted suicide, and suicidal ideation, and also suicide among veteran populations. Early identification and treatment of PTSD across both clinical and non-clinical cohorts should be a priority for suicide prevention.

Understanding Mental Health Needs and Gathering Feedback on Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential PTSD Treatment among 9/11 Responders Living with PTSD Symptoms 20 Years Later: A Qualitative Approach

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains one of the most prevalent diagnoses of World Trade Center (WTC) 9/11 responders. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a potential treatment for PTSD, as it can downregulate activity in the brain, which is known to be related to stress responses and hyperarousal. To understand barriers and facilitators to engagement in mental health care and the feasibility and acceptability of using the taVNS device as a treatment for PTSD symptoms, a focus group was conducted among patients from the Queens WTC Health Program who had elevated symptoms of PTSD. The focus group discussion was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Three themes and subthemes emerged: (1) the continued prevalence of mental health difficulties and systematic challenges to accessing care; (2) positive reception toward the taVNS device as a potential treatment option, including a discussion of how to increase usability; and (3) feedback on increasing the feasibility and acceptance of the research methodology associated with testing the device in a pilot clinical trial. The findings highlight the need for additional treatment options to reduce PTSD symptoms in this population and provide key formative phase input for the pilot clinical trial of taVNS.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Armed Forces Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Focus Group

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an emerging treatment for people diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the limited accessibility of psychotherapies. This research aims to determine the guidelines for developing a Virtual Reality–War Scenario program for Armed Forces veterans with PTSD and encompasses two studies: Study 1, a systematic electronic database review; Study 2, a focus group of twenty-two Portuguese Armed Forces veterans. Results showed a positive impact of VRET on PTSD; however, there were no group differences in most of the studies. Further, according to veterans, new VRET programs should be combined with the traditional therapy and must consider as requirements the sense of presence, dynamic scenarios, realistic feeling, and multisensorial experience. Regardless, these findings suggest VRET as a co-creation process, which requires more controlled, personalized, and in-depth research on its clinical applicability.