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Kay SJ, Keefe JR, Milrod BL, Barber JP. Childhood Trauma and Panic Disorder: The Impact of History of Child Abuse on Illness Severity and Treatment Response. Am J Psychother 2024:appipsychotherapy20230060. [PMID: 39104247 DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20230060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients who have experienced child abuse often have complex clinical presentations; whether a history of child abuse (HCA) affects psychotherapy outcomes is unclear. The authors examined relationships between HCA, clinical baseline variables, and change in these variables after three different psychotherapies for panic disorder (PD). METHODS Two hundred adults with PD (with or without agoraphobia) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments across two sites: panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or applied relaxation training (ART). Differences in demographic and clinical variables between those with and without HCA were compared. The primary analysis addressed odds of meeting clinical response criteria on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) between treatments, as moderated by HCA. This effect was examined via continuous outcomes on the PDSS and psychosocial functioning (Sheehan Disability Scale). RESULTS Compared with patients without HCA (N=154), patients with HCA (N=46) experienced significantly more severe symptoms of PD (d=0.60), agoraphobia (d=0.47), and comorbid depression (d=0.46); significantly worse psychosocial impairment (d=0.63) and anxiety sensitivity (d=0.75); greater personality disorder burden (d=0.45)-particularly with cluster C disorders (d=0.47)-and more severe interpersonal problems (d=0.54). HCA significantly moderated the likelihood of clinical response, predicting nonresponse to ART (B=-2.05, 95% CI=-4.17 to -0.30, OR=0.13, z=-2.14, p=0.032) but not CBT or PFPP. HCA did not interact with treatment condition to predict slopes of PDSS change. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study highlight the importance of HCA in formulating treatment recommendations. Increased awareness of HCA's effects on severity of PD and treatment responsiveness among patients with PD may improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Kay
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, New York City (Kay, Keefe); Department of Psychology, Long Island University Brooklyn, New York City (Keefe); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City (Milrod); Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York (Barber)
| | - John R Keefe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, New York City (Kay, Keefe); Department of Psychology, Long Island University Brooklyn, New York City (Keefe); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City (Milrod); Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York (Barber)
| | - Barbara L Milrod
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, New York City (Kay, Keefe); Department of Psychology, Long Island University Brooklyn, New York City (Keefe); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City (Milrod); Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York (Barber)
| | - Jacques P Barber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, New York City (Kay, Keefe); Department of Psychology, Long Island University Brooklyn, New York City (Keefe); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City (Milrod); Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York (Barber)
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Keefe JR, Kimmel D, Weitz E. A Meta-Analysis of Interpersonal and Psychodynamic Psychotherapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Am J Psychother 2024:appipsychotherapy20230043. [PMID: 39104248 DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20230043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Established trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have remission rates of approximately 30%-40%. Alternatively, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT) focus on disrupted attachment, mentalization, and social connection in PTSD and may help some patients. The authors conducted a meta-analysis on these interpersonal and affect-oriented approaches to treating PTSD. METHODS Building on a prior meta-analysis, the authors searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IPT or PDT with other established PTSD treatments or control conditions for adults diagnosed as having PTSD. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to assess outcome effect sizes and dropout rates. RCTs were rated via the Randomized Controlled Trial Psychotherapy Quality Rating Scale. RESULTS Ten RCTs (eight of IPT) comparing IPT or PDT with control (k=7) or active treatment (k=4) conditions were identified, nine of which were of adequate quality. IPT (k=5) and PDT (k=2), when analyzed together, were superior to control conditions overall (g=-1.14, p=0.011 [as was IPT alone: g=-0.88, p=0.034]) and to waitlist (g=-1.49) and treatment-as-usual (g=-0.70) groups. Effect sizes, however, may have been inflated by outliers or publication bias. IPT (k=3) and PDT (k=1), when analyzed together, were equally efficacious compared with other active PTSD treatments (primarily exposure-based psychotherapies), as was IPT alone, and had lower dropout rates (relative risk=0.63, p=0.049 for IPT and PDT analyzed together; relative risk=0.61, p=0.098 for IPT alone). CONCLUSIONS Affect-focused therapies hold promise in the treatment of PTSD. IPT has demonstrated efficacy in multiple trials, whereas the evidence base for PDT is sparse.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Keefe
- Department of Psychology, Long Island University Brooklyn, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City (Keefe); Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland-Sheppard Pratt Psychiatry Residency Program, Baltimore (Kimmel); Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Weitz)
| | - Duncan Kimmel
- Department of Psychology, Long Island University Brooklyn, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City (Keefe); Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland-Sheppard Pratt Psychiatry Residency Program, Baltimore (Kimmel); Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Weitz)
| | - Erica Weitz
- Department of Psychology, Long Island University Brooklyn, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City (Keefe); Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland-Sheppard Pratt Psychiatry Residency Program, Baltimore (Kimmel); Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Weitz)
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van Hemert MTC, de Jong PM, Vanaerschot G, Brouwer TR, Zoon JS, Gunst E. Posttraumatic stress disorder following childhood sexual and physical abuse: a study protocol for an 11-week randomised controlled trial comparing imaginal exposure and imagery rescripting. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2358683. [PMID: 39076139 PMCID: PMC11290290 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2358683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a vast amount of evidence supporting the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it remains unclear which specific treatment is most effective for patients with PTSD following childhood sexual and physical abuse (CSPA). Although Imaginal Exposure (IE) has proven highly effective in treating PTSD and is widely acknowledged as a standard method, Imagery Rescripting (IR) may be more suitable for CSPA-related PTSD. IR not only addresses fear but also targets other emotions and cognitions associated with childhood maladaptive schemas. Preliminary findings suggest lower drop-out rates for IR compared to IE, but no Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) currently assesses the effectiveness of IR for CSPA-related PTSD.Objective: This article presents a study protocol designed to investigate the optimal treatment (IE or IR) for individuals with CSPA-related PTSD and explore predictors of treatment success.Method: In our study protocol, we suggest the inclusion of 173 patients (N = 64 in IR, N = 64 in IE, and N = 45 in the waitlist condition). The therapy procedures for both IE and IR will consist of 16 sessions lasting 90 min each, with treatment durations of 11 weeks. Measurements take place at baseline, at start of treatment, 11 weeks after the start of treatment (after 16 sessions) and at follow-up at 26 weeks after the last session. A mixed regression will be used to compare the three active conditions before and after measurement.Results: This article serves as a study protocol. The results are not yet available but they will be presented in a subsequent article.Conclusion: This study protocol outlines a RCT which will be the first to provide information on the effectiveness of IR versus IE versus a control group in CSPA-related PTSD.Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register NTR 4817. Registered 26 September 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula M. de Jong
- Psychotherapy & Movement, Mental Health Care Practice, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Greet Vanaerschot
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tessa R. Brouwer
- Psychotherapy & Movement, Mental Health Care Practice, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joeri S. Zoon
- Psychotherapy & Movement, Mental Health Care Practice, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, and GGZ Ingeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Gunst
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Belgium
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Steil R, Maercker A, Jaworski L, Bachem R, Eberle D. [Evidence-based psychotherapy of posttraumatic stress syndrome-An update]. DER NERVENARZT 2024; 95:616-621. [PMID: 38906997 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-024-01694-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this article is to summarize the current state of research on the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS The results of current meta-analyses and trend-setting individual studies are summarized and the most important forms of intervention are explained. RESULTS The psychotherapeutic treatment methods for PTSD are very effective, the effect sizes are large and superior to those of pharmacotherapy. Trauma exposure and cognitive restructuring are most effective. Trauma-focused procedures are generally superior to other forms of psychotherapy. A range of different cognitive behavioral procedures as well as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are recommended. The most recent initial findings confirm a very good effectiveness for imagery rescripting methods as protective interventions without a formal confrontation with trauma. Individual therapy works better than group psychotherapy. In the group setting cognitive processing therapy has proven to be the best intervention. Trauma-focused treatment should also be used when comorbid conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or addiction are present. DISCUSSION Trauma-focused psychotherapy in an individual setting is the treatment of choice for PTSD. A large selection of effective methods and well-reviewed manuals are available. The German language S3 guidelines are currently being updated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Steil
- Institut für Psychologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Varrentrappstraße 40-42, 60486, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.
| | | | - Lena Jaworski
- Institut für Psychologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Varrentrappstraße 40-42, 60486, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
| | - Rahel Bachem
- Psychologisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz
| | - David Eberle
- Psychologisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz
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5
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Kaur K, Asnaani A, Levy HC, Miller ML, Tolin DF, McLean CP. Moving beyond symptom reduction: A meta-analysis on the effect of exposure therapy for PTSD on quality of life. J Clin Psychol 2024. [PMID: 38875442 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional construct including emotional well-being, life satisfaction, and physical health. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) consistently report low QOL, highlighting the importance of assessing the effectiveness of first-line PTSD treatments (e.g., exposure-based therapies) on QOL. This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of exposure therapy for PTSD on QOL compared to control conditions (e.g., waitlist, medication, treatment-as-usual) at posttreatment and follow-up (ranging from 1 month to 2 years). METHODS Building on a previous meta-analysis of exposure-based therapy for PTSD, we searched PsycINFO and Medline in December 2021, July 2022, and March 2023 to include randomized controlled trials of exposure-based treatments for adult PTSD assessing QOL. We screened 295 abstracts for initial eligibility; 20 articles met inclusion criteria and were included (N = 2729 participants). Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0. RESULTS At posttreatment, exposure-based therapies showed a medium effect on QOL relative to control conditions (k = 25, g = 0.67). This effect was not observed at follow-up for the small subset of studies with follow-up data (k = 8, g = 0.16). At posttreatment, effect size varied significantly as a function of the control condition (p < .0001). There were no differences in QOL effects across exposure therapies at posttreatment or follow-up (p = .09). CONCLUSION Exposure therapy was associated with greater improvement in QOL compared to control conditions at posttreatment. Exposure was not superior to control conditions at follow-up, and the longer-term impact of exposure on QOL is unclear. The implications of these findings are discussed, along with the need for more PTSD treatment studies to examine QOL outcomes at posttreatment and follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kaur
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Anu Asnaani
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Hannah C Levy
- Anxiety Disorders Center, The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Madeleine L Miller
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - David F Tolin
- Anxiety Disorders Center, The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Carmen P McLean
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Davis LL, Hamner MB. Post-traumatic stress disorder: the role of the amygdala and potential therapeutic interventions - a review. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1356563. [PMID: 38903645 PMCID: PMC11187309 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1356563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder triggered by exposure to a life-threatening or sexually violent traumatic event, and is characterized by symptoms involving intrusive re-experiencing, persistent avoidance of associated stimuli, emotional and cognitive disturbances, and hyperarousal for long periods after the trauma has occurred. These debilitating symptoms induce occupational and social impairments that contribute to a significant clinical burden for PTSD patients, and substantial socioeconomic costs, reaching approximately $20,000 dollars per individual with PTSD each year in the US. Despite increased translational research focus in the field of PTSD, the development of novel, effective pharmacotherapies for its treatment remains an important unmet clinical need. Observations In this review, we summarize the evidence implicating dysfunctional activity of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of PTSD. We identify the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) ion channels as promising drug targets given their distribution in the amygdala, and evidence from animal studies demonstrating their role in fear response modulation. We discuss the evidence-based pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment approaches for PTSD. Discussion In view of the prevalence and economic burden associated with PTSD, further investigation is warranted into novel treatment approaches based on our knowledge of the involvement of brain circuitry and the role of the amygdala in PTSD, as well as the potential added value of combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy to better manage PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori L. Davis
- Mental Health Service, Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama College of Community Health Science, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Mark B. Hamner
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Rentmeesters N, Wynsberghe D, Hermans D. Development of a stepped care intervention model of evidence-based interventions for the management of posttraumatic stress in the Belgian Police. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:1-12. [PMID: 38828913 PMCID: PMC11149569 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2349448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Police officers are frequently exposed to a wide variety of potentially traumatic events (PTE) and are therefore at a considerable risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research estimated the point prevalence of PTSD in Belgian police officers at 7.4%, significantly higher than in the general population. An effective organisational strategy to manage posttraumatic stress is essential.Objective: We aimed to develop a novel organisational approach regarding traumatic stress for Belgian police, combining evidence-based strategies for the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress in a stepped care intervention model.Method: In a broad development process, we combined scientific literature, case studies of best practices from other police organisations with insights gathered from a number of expert panels, thematic working groups and feedback groups.Results: A comprehensive stepped care intervention model was developed, consisting of evidence-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress.Conclusions: The intervention model is a promising organisational strategy for the management of posttraumatic stress in police organisations based on evidence-based interventions. Its effectiveness will be studied in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Rentmeesters
- Psychological Medical Service, Federal Police, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Wynsberghe
- Psychological Medical Service, Federal Police, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dirk Hermans
- Center for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Wright SL, Karyotaki E, Cuijpers P, Bisson J, Papola D, Witteveen A, Suliman S, Spies G, Ahmadi K, Capezzani L, Carletto S, Karatzias T, Kullack C, Laugharne J, Lee CW, Nijdam MJ, Olff M, Ostacoli L, Seedat S, Sijbrandij M. EMDR v. other psychological therapies for PTSD: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2024; 54:1580-1588. [PMID: 38173121 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723003446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA) examined the overall effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, achieving response and remission, and reducing treatment dropout among adults with PTSD compared to other psychological treatments. Additionally, we examined available participant-level moderators of the efficacy of EMDR. METHODS This study included randomized controlled trials. Eligible studies were identified by a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, PsyclNFO, PTSDpubs, and CENTRAL. The target population was adults with above-threshold baseline PTSD symptoms. Trials were eligible if at least 70% of study participants had been diagnosed with PTSD using a structured clinical interview. Primary outcomes included PTSD symptom severity, treatment response, and PTSD remission. Treatment dropout was a secondary outcome. The systematic search retrieved 15 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs); 8 of these 15 were able to be included in this IPDMA (346 patients). Comparator treatments included relaxation therapy, emotional freedom technique, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral psychotherapies, and REM-desensitization. RESULTS One-stage IPDMA found no significant difference between EMDR and other psychological treatments in reducing PTSD symptom severity (β = -0.24), achieving response (β = 0.86), attaining remission (β = 1.05), or reducing treatment dropout rates (β = -0.25). Moderator analyses found unemployed participants receiving EMDR had higher PTSD symptom severity at the post-test, and males were more likely to drop out of EMDR treatment than females. CONCLUSION The current study found no significant difference between EMDR and other psychological treatments. We found some indication of the moderating effects of gender and employment status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonne Lesley Wright
- South Africa PTSD Research Programme of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eirini Karyotaki
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Bisson
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Davide Papola
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anke Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sharain Suliman
- South Africa PTSD Research Programme of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgina Spies
- South Africa PTSD Research Programme of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Khodabakhsh Ahmadi
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Liuva Capezzani
- The International Institute for Psychoanalytic Research and Training of Health Professionals (IIPRTHP), Rome, Italy
- International School for Psychotherapy (SIPSI), Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Carletto
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Thanos Karatzias
- School of Health & Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | | | - Jonathan Laugharne
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Christopher William Lee
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Mirjam J Nijdam
- Department of Psychiatry & Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Center, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Miranda Olff
- Department of Psychiatry & Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Center location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Center, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Luca Ostacoli
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Soraya Seedat
- South Africa PTSD Research Programme of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on the Genomics of Brain Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Vaage-Kowalzik V, Engeset J, Jakobsen M, Andreassen W, Evensen JH. Exhausting, but necessary: the lived experience of participants in an intensive inpatient trauma treatment program. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1341716. [PMID: 38863672 PMCID: PMC11165995 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1341716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Intensive inpatient treatment programs have shown robust results in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How patients experience this treatment program and what changes they experience as a result of the treatment have, however, only scarcely been explored through qualitative studies. Objective This study aimed to explore the lived experience of participants in an intensive inpatient trauma treatment program. Our research questions were as follows: how do patients experience intensive trauma-focused treatment? How do they experience possible changes related to participating in the treatment program? Methods Six patients diagnosed with PTSD with significant comorbidities, who recently participated in an intensive 2-week (4 + 4 days) inpatient trauma treatment program with prolonged exposure (PE), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and therapist rotation (TR), were interviewed with a semi-structured qualitative interview. Transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Our analysis resulted in five main themes: (1) the need to feel safe; (2) the benefits of many and different therapeutic encounters; (3) variable experience with elements of treatment; (4) intensity; and (5) experienced change. Our results suggest that feeling safe within the framework of the treatment program facilitated the treatment process. Many and different therapeutic encounters, both through TR and with ward staff, contributed to experienced change. All participants described the intensity as facilitative to trauma processing. However, most participants also describe often feeling too overwhelmed to benefit from all elements of the treatment program. Conclusions Our findings suggest that participants experience the overall treatment program as beneficial and contributing to experienced change. Participants described the intensity of the program as exhausting, but necessary. Most did, however, report at times of being too overwhelmed to benefit from elements of the program. Consequently, our results prompt us to question the optimal level of intensity. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05342480. Date of registration: 2022-04-22.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeanette Engeset
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Wenche Andreassen
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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El-Haj-Mohamad R, Böttche M, Vöhringer M, Specht F, Stammel N, Nesterko Y, Knaevelsrud C, Wagner B. An internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for adults with depression in Arabic-speaking countries: A randomized controlled trial. Stress Health 2024:e3432. [PMID: 38806256 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Internet-based interventions have proven to be effective for the treatment of depression in different samples, but evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioural writing intervention for Arabic-speaking participants with depression living in the MENA region. A total of 259 participants (167 female, age in years: M = 25.58, SD = 6.39) with depressive symptoms indicative of clinical relevance were randomly allocated to a treatment group (TG; nTG = 128) or a waitlist control group (WG; nWG = 131). The TG received an internet-based intervention over a 6-week period. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms, and secondary outcomes were anxiety and quality of life (QoL). T-tests with change scores from pre- to post-treatment were used for data analyses. Intention-to-treat (ITT) as well as completer analyses were calculated. The ITT analysis revealed significant differences between the TG and WG in depression (T257 = -4.89, p < 0.001, d = 0.70) and QoL (T257 = 3.39, p < 0.001, d = 0.47). Significant differences regarding anxiety symptoms (T257 = 3.25, p < 0.05, d = 0.53) were identified for the completer sample. The general dropout rate was 39.9%. The results indicate the feasibility and efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioural writing intervention in adults from Arabic-speaking countries. The development and implementation of such interventions can be used to improve access to psychological help and adequate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan El-Haj-Mohamad
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Böttche
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Vöhringer
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Freya Specht
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Stammel
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuriy Nesterko
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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11
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Schnyder U. Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Complexities of the Clinical Realm. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2024:1-5. [PMID: 38768564 DOI: 10.1159/000538954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Schnyder
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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Gausemel Å, Filkuková P. Virtual realities, real recoveries: exploring the efficacy of 3MDR therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1291961. [PMID: 38813557 PMCID: PMC11135474 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1291961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure-based therapies have shown promise in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but challenges exist in maintaining patient engagement and finding appropriate stimuli for graded exposure. Virtual reality (VR) technology has been used to enhance exposure therapy, but current software lacks customization and some patients remain treatment-resistant. A novel approach called multimodular motion-assisted memory desensitization and reconsolidation (3MDR) has the potential to solve some of the current limitations of VR-assisted exposure therapy. This study examines the efficacy of 3MDR treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant PTSD through a systematic review of relevant literature and clinical studies. Preliminary findings indicate promise for 3MDR in reducing PTSD symptoms, including emotional regulation and moral injury. However, further research with larger samples and controlled studies is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and validate these results. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of health-economic evaluations to assess costs and resource utilization associated with implementing 3MDR treatment in clinical services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsmund Gausemel
- Department of Psychology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Petra Filkuková
- Department of Psychology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
- Department of High Performance Computing, Simula Research Laboratory, Oslo, Norway
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13
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Sanz S, Valiente C, Espinosa R, Trucharte A. Psychological Group Interventions for Reducing Distress Symptoms in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review. Clin Psychol Psychother 2024; 31:e2980. [PMID: 38706143 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Healthcare workers exposed to emergencies and chronic stressors are at high risk of developing mental health problems. This review synthesized existing studies of group psychological therapy to reduce distress symptoms in healthcare workers (i.e., as complex and heterogeneous emotional states, characterized by the presence of symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, anxiety, depression and moral injury). Searches were conducted using PRISMA guidelines and databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline and Web of Science, along with manual searches of reference lists of relevant articles. The search returned a total of 1071 randomized trials, of which 23 met the inclusion criteria. Of the total studies, nine were mindfulness interventions, seven were cognitive behavioural programmes, one was a programme based on acceptance and commitment therapy, one was an EMDR protocol and two focused on systemic and art therapy. Most studies aimed to reduce burnout, anxiety and depression; only three focused on post-traumatic stress disorder, and no studies were found that addressed moral injury. The results suggested that group interventions could be an effective tool to improve the mental health of healthcare workers and reduce their symptoms of distress, although many of the studies have methodological deficiencies. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Sanz
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Valiente
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Regina Espinosa
- Department of Psychology, Faculty HM Hospitals of Health Sciences, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
- HM Hospitales Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Trucharte
- Department of Psychology, Faculty HM Hospitals of Health Sciences, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
- HM Hospitales Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
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14
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van Minnen A, Vos L, Bet PM, de Jongh A, Linsen F, van Marle HJF, Meijer OC, Otte WM, Russcher M, Vinkers CH. Three Prospective Case Studies Examining Mifepristone's Efficacy in Patients with Treatment-Resistant PTSD. Case Rep Psychiatry 2024; 2024:4768647. [PMID: 38706512 PMCID: PMC11068447 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4768647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of various treatment approaches for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), some patients do not respond to these therapies, and novel treatment approaches are needed. This study investigated the efficacy of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in treatment-resistant PTSD patients. Three patients with PTSD who were resistant to standard psychological and pharmacological treatments were prescribed mifepristone (600-1,200 mg/day) for 1 week. A baseline-controlled single-case design was used, involving a 2-week baseline phase (no intervention), a 1-week intervention phase (mifepristone), and a 2-week postintervention phase. The primary outcome measure, self-reported PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5), was assessed daily, with participants providing their own control condition. Two of the three patients experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptom severity after the intervention phase and no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. These positive results were maintained during long-term follow-up. These findings support the potential effectiveness of mifepristone in the treatment of patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. However, our findings must be interpreted with caution, and further studies with larger sample sizes and more rigorous designs are necessary to confirm the promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes van Minnen
- Psychotrauma Expertise Centre (PSYTREC) Bilthoven, Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lizelotte Vos
- Psychotrauma Expertise Centre (PSYTREC) Bilthoven, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Pierre M. Bet
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ad de Jongh
- Psychotrauma Expertise Centre (PSYTREC) Bilthoven, Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- School of Health Sciences, Salford University, Salford, Manchester, UK
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
- School of Psychology, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Felix Linsen
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam, Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep and Stress Program, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hein J. F. van Marle
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam, Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep and Stress Program, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Center, Diemen, Netherlands
- GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Onno C. Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Willem M. Otte
- Department of Child Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marije Russcher
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H. Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam, Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep and Stress Program, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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15
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Drožđek B, Rodenburg J. Healing wounded trees: clinicians' perspectives on treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1356862. [PMID: 38654731 PMCID: PMC11035878 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1356862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
While treatment guidelines agree on the first-line interventions for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there is an ongoing debate between experts regarding the treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). As scientific research is slowly emerging, different treatment approaches are used in clinical practice This article aims to provide a set of treatment options for C-PTSD in adult survivors of repeated exposure to severe violence and abuse, both in childhood and later on in life. The developmental-contextual perspective on mental health forms the basis of this approach. This perspective is elaborated using the tree metaphor. Then, several treatment strategies are suggested. The presented strategies are a combination of the existing evidence-based approaches for the treatment of PTSD and personality disorders. They target psychological damage in survivors while taking their developmental trajectories and ecological environments into consideration. The treatment model presented is based on longstanding clinical practice and it may be a promising framework for treating C-PTSD. However, it still needs to be scientifically examined for acceptability and effectiveness.
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16
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Ross DC, McCallum N, Truuvert AK, Butt A, Behdinan T, Rojas D, Soklaridis S, Vigod S. The development and evaluation of a virtual, asynchronous, trauma-focused treatment program for adult survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma. J Ment Health 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38572918 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2024.2332797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long-term mental and physical health implications of childhood interpersonal trauma on adult survivors is immense, however, there is a lack of available trauma-focused treatment services that are widely accessible. This study, utilizing a user-centered design process, sought feedback on the initial design and development of a novel, self-paced psychoeducation and skills-based treatment intervention for this population. AIMS To explore the views and perspectives of adult survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma on the first two modules of an asynchronous trauma-focused treatment program. METHODS Fourteen participants from our outpatient hospital service who completed the modules consented to provide feedback on their user experience. A thematic analysis of the three focus groups was conducted. RESULTS Four major themes emerged from the focus groups: (1) technology utilization, (2) module content, (3) asynchronous delivery, and (4) opportunity for interactivity. Participants noted the convenience of the platform and the use of multimedia content to increase engagement and did not find the modules to be emotionally overwhelming. CONCLUSIONS Our research findings suggest that an asynchronous virtual intervention for childhood interpersonal trauma survivors may be a safe and acceptable way to provide a stabilization-focused intervention on a wider scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana C Ross
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nancy McCallum
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annie K Truuvert
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aysha Butt
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tina Behdinan
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Rojas
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Wilson Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sophie Soklaridis
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Wilson Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simone Vigod
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Straud CL, Roache JD, Ginsburg BC, Baig RM, King VL, Barron S, Blount TH, Young-McCaughan S, Peterson AL. Enhancing massed prolonged exposure with cannabidiol to improve posttraumatic stress disorder: Design and methodology of a pilot randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2024; 38:101270. [PMID: 38404650 PMCID: PMC10884801 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is substantial and often results in pervasive functional impairments. Although evidence-based treatments for PTSD are established, there remains room for improvement as many individuals continue to meet diagnostic criteria even after successful treatment completion. Cannabidiol (CBD) has attracted considerable attention based on its potential to treat a myriad of health conditions. CBD may decrease anxiety and facilitate extinction learning processes, two critical targets of trauma-focused psychotherapies. We present the design and methods for a pilot randomized clinical trial to examine the combination of CBD and prolonged exposure for PTSD. Methods Participants (n = 24) will be randomized to CBD or placebo for 18 days delivered in combination with ten daily prolonged exposure sessions over two weeks. The study medication will be Epidiolex® (250 mg BID). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 will be the primary outcome to assess PTSD severity at baseline, during treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. Blood, saliva, and heart rate will be collected during treatment to assess intervention effects on biological outcomes related to PTSD and the endocannabinoid system. Results Consistent with the purpose of a pilot, our goals are to evaluate the feasibility of study procedures, safety of the intervention, and the preliminary effect of CBD to inform a larger trial. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used to address study aims. Conclusion Findings will inform decision making on combining CBD with behavioral interventions for PTSD to enhance outcomes and mitigate the morbidity of this debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey L. Straud
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - John D. Roache
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Brett C. Ginsburg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Rais M. Baig
- Polytrauma and Rehabilitation Clinic, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Van L. King
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Barron
- PTSD Clinic, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tabatha H. Blount
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Stacey Young-McCaughan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alan L. Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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18
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Aarts I, Thorsen AL, Vriend C, Planting C, van den Heuvel OA, Thomaes K. Effects of psychotherapy on brain activation during negative emotional processing in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Imaging Behav 2024; 18:444-455. [PMID: 38049598 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00831-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition which has been related to problems in emotional regulation, memory and cognitive control. Psychotherapy has a non-response rate of around 50% and understanding the neurobiological working mechanisms might help improve treatment. To integrate findings from multiple smaller studies, we performed the first meta-analysis of changes in brain activation with a specific focus on emotional processing after psychotherapy in PTSD patients. We performed a meta-analysis of brain activation changes after treatment during emotional processing for PTSD with seed-based d mapping using a pre-registered protocol (PROSPERO CRD42020211039). We analyzed twelve studies with 191 PTSD patients after screening 3700 studies. We performed systematic quality assessment both for the therapeutic interventions and neuroimaging methods. Analyses were done in the full sample and in a subset of studies that reported whole-brain results. We found decreased activation after psychotherapy in the left amygdala, (para)hippocampus, medial temporal lobe, inferior frontal gyrus, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, right pallidum, anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral putamen, and insula. Decreased activation in the left amygdala and left ventrolateral PFC was also found in eight studies that reported whole-brain findings. Results did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. There is tentative support for decreased activation in the fear and cognitive control networks during emotional processing after psychotherapy for PTSD. Future studies would benefit from adopting a larger sample size, using designs that control for confounding variables, and investigating heterogeneity in symptom profiles and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Aarts
- Sinai Centrum, Arkin, Amstelveen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - A L Thorsen
- Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Center for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - C Vriend
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity, Impulsivity & Attention program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Planting
- GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University Library, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - O A van den Heuvel
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity, Impulsivity & Attention program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Thomaes
- Sinai Centrum, Arkin, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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19
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Guzick AG, Tendler A, Brown LA, Onyeka OC, Storch EA. Linguistic and affective characteristics of script-driven imagery for adults with posttraumatic stress order: Associations with clinical outcomes during deep transcranial magnetic stimulation. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:291-306. [PMID: 38291162 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Brief exposure to traumatic memories using script-driven imagery (SDI) has been proposed as a promising treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigated the effect of SDI plus active versus sham deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial for adults with PTSD (N = 134). Linguistic features of scripts and self-reported distress during a 12-session deep TMS treatment protocol were examined as they related to (a) baseline PTSD symptom severity, (b) trauma characteristics, and (c) treatment outcomes. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software was used to analyze the following linguistic features of SDIs: negative emotion, authenticity, and cognitive processing. More use of negative emotion words was associated with less severe self-reported and clinician-rated baseline PTSD symptom severity, r = -.18, p = .038. LIWC features did not differ based on index trauma type, range: F(3, 125) = 0.29-0.49, ps = .688-.831. Between-session reductions in self-reported distress across SDI trials predicted PTSD symptom improvement across both conditions at 5-week, B = -15.68, p = .010, and 9-week endpoints, B = -16.38, p = .011. Initial self-reported distress and linguistic features were not associated with treatment outcomes. The findings suggest that individuals with PTSD who experience between-session habituation to SDI-related distress are likely to experience a corresponding improvement in PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Guzick
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Aron Tendler
- BrainsWay Ltd., Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Lily A Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ogechi C Onyeka
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eric A Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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20
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Stein J, El-Haj-Mohamad R, Stammel N, Vöhringer M, Wagner B, Nesterko Y, Böttche M, Knaevelsrud C. Changes in trauma appraisal during brief internet-based exposure and cognitive restructuring treatment for Arabic-speaking people with PTSD. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2324631. [PMID: 38511498 PMCID: PMC10962287 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2324631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Maladaptive trauma appraisal plays an important role in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of exposure and cognitive treatments for PTSD symptomatology, the effect of such treatments on specific trauma appraisals is still not well understood.Objective: The study investigated the effect of an exposure and a cognitive restructuring internet-based treatment on specific trauma appraisals in Arabic-speaking participants with PTSD.Method: 334 participants received either an exposure (n = 167) or a cognitive restructuring (n = 167) internet-based treatment. PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) and specific trauma appraisals (TAQ) were assessed at pre- and post-treatment. Changes in specific trauma appraisals within and between the two treatments were analyzed using multi-group change modelling. Associations between changes in PTSD symptom severity and changes in trauma appraisals were evaluated using Pearson product-moment correlation. For both treatments, participants with versus without reliable improvement were compared regarding changes in specific trauma appraisals using Welch tests. Analyses were performed on 100 multiple imputed datasets.Results: Both treatments yielded significant changes in shame, self-blame, fear, anger, and alienation (all ps < .001). Changes in betrayal were only significant in the cognitive restructuring treatment (p < .001). There was no evidence of differences between treatments for any specific trauma appraisal. Changes in PTSD symptom severity were significantly associated with changes in trauma appraisals (all ps < .001). In both treatments, participants who experienced reliable improvement in PTSD symptom severity showed significantly larger pre- to post-treatment changes in specific trauma appraisals compared to those without reliable improvement. Again, differences in betrayal were only significant in the cognitive restructuring treatment.Conclusions: The findings indicate that both treatments are effective in reducing trauma appraisals in Arabic-speaking people with PTSD. Changes in trauma appraisal seem to be associated with changes in PTSD symptomatology.Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00010245.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Stein
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rayan El-Haj-Mohamad
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Stammel
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Vöhringer
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Wagner
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuriy Nesterko
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Böttche
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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21
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Mohammadi Z, Dehghani M, Fathali Lavasani F, Farahani H, Ashouri A. A network analysis of ICD-11 Complex PTSD, emotional processing, and dissociative experiences in the context of psychological trauma at different developmental stages. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1372620. [PMID: 38532985 PMCID: PMC10963615 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1372620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Traumatic experiences are a significant risk factor for psychological disturbances, including disorders such as complex posttraumatic stress disorder, emotion-processing problems, and trauma-related dissociative experiences. The present investigation examined the coexistence of these symptoms using a network analysis model. Method This study included a sample of 406 people referred to comprehensive health centers in Tehran from September to December 2023 with psychopathological syndromes. Variables were assessed using The International Trauma Questionnaire, International Measurement of Exposure to Traumatic Event checklist, Baker Emotional Processing Questionnaire, and Dissociative Experiences. A regularized partial correlation network and Glasso algorithm, in combination with Extended Bayesian information criteria, were applied to estimate the network structure. Results Signs of unprocessed emotions and disturbance in self-organization symptoms were the most important symptoms in the symptom network, forming strong connections with other nodes. Thereby, these two symptoms can be regarded as the most important clinical manifestations in the symptom network following traumatic experiences. Three distinct symptom communities were identified: the community of traumatic experiences (childhood, adolescence, adulthood), the community of dissociative experiences (amnesia, depersonalization/derealization, and absorption), and the community of emotional processing (suppression, unpleasant emotional experience, Signs of unprocessed emotions, avoidance, and emotional control, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and disturbance in self-organization symptoms). The strongest edges observed were between childhood trauma-adolescence trauma (0.473) in the community of traumatic experiences, between amnesia and depersonalization/derealization (0.644) in the community of dissociative experiences, and between disturbance in self-organization symptoms and unprocessed emotions (0.324) in the community of emotional processing, indicating the recurrent occurrence of these symptoms. Conclusion In this study, disturbance in self-organization symptoms was identified as the central psychopathologic symptom in individuals experiencing traumas at different developmental stages. It seems that adolescent trauma and not childhood trauma plays a more decisive role in the symptoms that a person manifests after traumatic experiences. Also, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and disturbance in self-organization symptoms were recognized in the cluster of emotional processing symptoms and can have substantial roles in prioritizing therapeutic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mohammadi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Dehghani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Fathali Lavasani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ahmad Ashouri
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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22
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Hardy A, Keen N, van den Berg D, Varese F, Longden E, Ward T, Brand RM. Trauma therapies for psychosis: A state-of-the-art review. Psychol Psychother 2024; 97:74-90. [PMID: 37795877 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic events, particularly childhood interpersonal victimisation, have been found to play a causal role in the occurrence of psychosis and shape the phenomenology of psychotic experiences. Higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related mental health problems are also found in people with psychosis diagnoses compared to the general population. It is, therefore, imperative that therapists are willing and able to address trauma and its consequences when supporting recovery from distressing psychosis. METHOD This paper will support this need by providing a state-of-the-art overview of the safety, acceptability and effects of trauma therapies for psychosis. RESULTS We will first introduce how seminal cognitive-behavioural models of psychosis shed light on the mechanisms by which trauma may give rise to psychotic experiences, including a putative role for trauma-related emotions, beliefs and episodic memories. The initial application of prolonged exposure and eye movement and desensitation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) for treating PTSD in psychosis will be described, followed by consideration of integrative approaches. These integrative approaches aim to address the impact of trauma on both post-traumatic stress symptoms and trauma-related psychosis. Integrative approaches include EMDR for psychosis (EMDRp) and trauma-focused Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (tf-CBTp). Finally, emerging dialogic approaches for targeting trauma-related voice-hearing will be considered, demonstrating the potential value of adopting co-produced (Talking with Voices) and digitally augmented (AVATAR) therapies. CONCLUSION We will conclude by reflecting on current issues in the area, and implications for research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Hardy
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nadine Keen
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - David van den Berg
- Mark van der Gaag Research Centre, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
- Vrije University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Filippo Varese
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Eleanor Longden
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Thomas Ward
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel M Brand
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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23
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Meyer K, Schoofs N, Hildebrandt A, Bermpohl F, Priebe K. What to think or how to think - is symptom reduction in posttraumatic symptomatology associated with change in posttraumatic cognitions or perseverative thinking? A latent change score model approach. Psychother Res 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38412334 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2024.2316009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) report changes in what they think of the world and themselves, referred to as posttraumatic cognitions, and changes in how they think, reflected in increased perseverative thinking. We investigated whether pre-post therapy changes in the two aspects of thinking were associated with pre-post therapy changes in posttraumatic symptom severity. METHOD 219 d clinic patients with posttraumatic stress symptoms received trauma-focused psychotherapy with cognitive behavioral and metacognitive elements. The posttraumatic cognitions inventory (PTCI), the perseverative thinking questionnaire (PTQ), and the Davidson trauma scale (DTS) were applied at two occasions, pre- and post-therapy. Using latent change score models, we investigated whether change in PTCI and change in PTQ were associated with change in DTS and its subscales. We then compared the predictive value of PTQ and PTCI in joint models. RESULTS When jointly modeled, change in overall DTS score was associated with change in both PTCI and PTQ. Concerning DTS subscales, reexperiencing and avoidance were significantly associated with change in PTCI, but not in PTQ. CONCLUSION Results indicate that both aspects of cognition may be valuable targets of psychotherapy. A focus on posttraumatic cognitions might be called for in patients with severe reexperiencing and avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Meyer
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Psychiatric University Clinic of the Charité at St. Hedwig-Hospital, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikola Schoofs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Psychiatric University Clinic of the Charité at St. Hedwig-Hospital, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Hildebrandt
- Department of Psychology, Psychological Methods and Statistics, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Bermpohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Psychiatric University Clinic of the Charité at St. Hedwig-Hospital, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathlen Priebe
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Psychiatric University Clinic of the Charité at St. Hedwig-Hospital, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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24
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Katz D, Petersen T, Rabideau DJ, Stark A, Pintro K, Alvarez-Hernandez A, Stancroff N, Deng Y, Albury E, Kuperberg M, George N, Amado S, Temes C, Nierenberg AA, Sylvia L. A trial of prolonged exposure therapy for outpatients with comorbid bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). J Affect Disord 2024; 344:432-439. [PMID: 37802328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occur, but no treatment guidelines exist for this population. Prolonged exposure (PE) is a well-established and efficacious treatment for PTSD, untested in patients with comorbid bipolar disorder. The current study evaluates the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of PE for patients with bipolar disorder and PTSD. METHODS Participants were enrolled in PE and completed assessments of PTSD symptoms, suicidality, state and trait anxiety, depression, and mania at baseline, Sessions 5 and 10, and at 6-months post-treatment. RESULTS 32 patients enrolled in this study, with 75 % (24/32) completing all ten PE sessions and 50 % completing 6-month follow-up assessments. PTSD symptoms decreased from baseline to Session 10 and continued to decrease throughout the follow-up period. Suicidality, measured by implicit associations between self and death, showed a similar pattern of decrease over treatment and follow-up periods. Suicidal thinking and depressive symptoms decreased from baseline through Session 10 and rebounded slightly, remaining below baseline at 6-months follow-up. State and trait anxiety increased initially through Session 5 but then decreased and remained stable. Mania scores remained stable at all assessment periods. LIMITATIONS The study is limited by a small sample size and absence of a control condition. Criterion A trauma was not required, limiting generalizability, and there was significant attrition at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that PE is a feasible and preliminarily efficacious treatment for patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid PTSD, and support the conduct of a fully powered efficacy of PE for this comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Katz
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.
| | - Timothy Petersen
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Dustin J Rabideau
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Abigail Stark
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Kedie Pintro
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Noah Stancroff
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yunfeng Deng
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Evan Albury
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maya Kuperberg
- Tel Aviv University, Israel; Beer Yaakov-Ness Ziona Mental Health Center, Israel
| | - Nevita George
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Selen Amado
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christina Temes
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Andrew A Nierenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Louisa Sylvia
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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25
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Zaretsky TG, Jagodnik KM, Barsic R, Antonio JH, Bonanno PA, MacLeod C, Pierce C, Carney H, Morrison MT, Saylor C, Danias G, Lepow L, Yehuda R. The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:636-735. [PMID: 38284341 PMCID: PMC10845102 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231027111147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estimated 12 million U.S. adults are presently affected by this disorder. Current treatments include psychological therapies (e.g., exposure-based interventions) and pharmacological treatments (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)). However, a significant proportion of patients receiving standard-of-care therapies for PTSD remain symptomatic, and new approaches for this and other trauma-related mental health conditions are greatly needed. Psychedelic compounds that alter cognition, perception, and mood are currently being examined for their efficacy in treating PTSD despite their current status as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)- scheduled substances. Initial clinical trials have demonstrated the potential value of psychedelicassisted therapy to treat PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the state of the science of PTSD clinical care, including current treatments and their shortcomings. We review clinical studies of psychedelic interventions to treat PTSD, trauma-related disorders, and common comorbidities. The classic psychedelics psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and DMT-containing ayahuasca, as well as the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and the dissociative anesthetic ketamine, are reviewed. For each drug, we present the history of use, psychological and somatic effects, pharmacology, and safety profile. The rationale and proposed mechanisms for use in treating PTSD and traumarelated disorders are discussed. This review concludes with an in-depth consideration of future directions for the psychiatric applications of psychedelics to maximize therapeutic benefit and minimize risk in individuals and communities impacted by trauma-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Glatman Zaretsky
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jagodnik
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Barsic
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josimar Hernandez Antonio
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip A. Bonanno
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carolyn MacLeod
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlotte Pierce
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hunter Carney
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgan T. Morrison
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Saylor
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Danias
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren Lepow
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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26
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Stein J, Vöhringer M, Wagner B, Stammel N, Nesterko Y, Böttche M, Knaevelsrud C. Exposure Versus Cognitive Restructuring Techniques in Brief Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Arabic-Speaking People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Randomized Clinical Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2023; 10:e48689. [PMID: 38090792 PMCID: PMC10753431 DOI: 10.2196/48689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive behavioral interventions delivered via the internet are demonstrably efficacious treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in underserved, Arabic-speaking populations. However, the role of specific treatment components remains unclear, particularly in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East and North Africa. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate 2 brief internet-based treatments in terms of efficacy, including change in PTSD symptom severity during treatment. Both treatments were developed in line with Interapy, an internet-based, therapist-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy protocol for PTSD and adapted to the specific research question. The first treatment comprised self-confrontation and social sharing (exposure treatment; 6 sessions); the second comprised cognitive restructuring and social sharing (cognitive restructuring treatment; 6 sessions). The 2 treatments were compared with each other and with a waitlist control group. METHODS In total, 365 Arabic-speaking participants from the Middle East and North Africa (mean age 25.49, SD 6.68 y) with PTSD were allocated to cognitive restructuring treatment (n=118, 32.3%), exposure treatment (n=122, 33.4%), or a waitlist control group (n=125, 34.2%) between February 2021 and December 2022. PTSD symptom severity, posttraumatic maladaptive cognitions, anxiety, depressive and somatoform symptom severity, and quality of life were assessed via self-report at baseline and after treatment or waiting time. PTSD symptom severity was also measured throughout treatment or waiting time. Treatment satisfaction was assessed after treatment completion. Treatment use and satisfaction were compared between the 2 treatment conditions using appropriate statistical tests (eg, chi-square and Welch tests). Multiple imputation was performed to address missing data and evaluate treatment-associated changes. These changes were analyzed using multigroup change modeling in the completer and intention-to-treat samples. RESULTS Overall, 200 (N=240, 83.3%) participants started any of the treatments, of whom 123 (61.5%) completed the treatment. Treatment condition was not significantly associated with the proportion of participants who started versus did not start treatment (P=.20) or with treatment completion versus treatment dropout (P=.71). High treatment satisfaction was reported, with no significant differences between the treatment conditions (P=.48). In both treatment conditions, PTSD, anxiety, depressive and somatoform symptom severity, and posttraumatic maladaptive cognitions decreased, and quality of life improved significantly from baseline to the posttreatment time point (P≤.001 in all cases). Compared with the baseline assessment, overall PTSD symptom severity decreased significantly after 4 sessions in both treatment conditions (P<.001). Moreover, both treatment conditions were significantly superior to the waitlist control group regarding overall PTSD symptom severity (P<.001) and most other comorbid mental health symptoms (P<.001 to P=.03). Differences between the 2 conditions in the magnitude of change for all outcome measures were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS Internet-based cognitive behavioral treatments for PTSD focusing primarily on either self-confrontation or cognitive restructuring are applicable and efficacious for Arabic-speaking participants. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00010245; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00010245.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Stein
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Vöhringer
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Wagner
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Stammel
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuriy Nesterko
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Böttche
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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27
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Sep MSC, Geuze E, Joëls M. Impaired learning, memory, and extinction in posttraumatic stress disorder: translational meta-analysis of clinical and preclinical studies. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:376. [PMID: 38062029 PMCID: PMC10703817 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02660-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Current evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are efficacious in only part of PTSD patients. Therefore, novel neurobiologically informed approaches are urgently needed. Clinical and translational neuroscience point to altered learning and memory processes as key in (models of) PTSD psychopathology. We extended this notion by clarifying at a meta-level (i) the role of information valence, i.e. neutral versus emotional/fearful, and (ii) comparability, as far as applicable, between clinical and preclinical phenotypes. We hypothesized that cross-species, neutral versus emotional/fearful information processing is, respectively, impaired and enhanced in PTSD. This preregistered meta-analysis involved a literature search on PTSD+Learning/Memory+Behavior, performed in PubMed. First, the effect of information valence was estimated with a random-effects meta-regression. The sources of variation were explored with a random forest-based analysis. The analyses included 92 clinical (N = 6732 humans) and 182 preclinical (N = 6834 animals) studies. A general impairment of learning, memory and extinction processes was observed in PTSD patients, regardless of information valence. Impaired neutral learning/memory and fear extinction were also present in animal models of PTSD. Yet, PTSD models enhanced fear/trauma memory in preclinical studies and PTSD impaired emotional memory in patients. Clinical data on fear/trauma memory was limited. Mnemonic phase and valence explained most variation in rodents but not humans. Impaired neutral learning/memory and fear extinction show stable cross-species PTSD phenotypes. These could be targeted for novel PTSD treatments, using information gained from neurobiological animal studies. We argue that apparent cross-species discrepancies in emotional/fearful memory deserve further in-depth study; until then, animal models targeting this phenotype should be applied with utmost care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou S C Sep
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress Program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health Program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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28
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Kummar AS, Correia H, Tan J, Fujiyama H. An 8-week compassion and mindfulness-based exposure therapy program improves posttraumatic stress symptoms. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023. [PMID: 37947043 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The persistence of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) can be debilitating. However, many people experiencing such symptoms may not qualify for or may not seek treatment. Potentially contributing to ongoing residual symptoms of PTSS is emotion dysregulation. Meanwhile, the research area of mindfulness and compassion has grown to imply emotion regulation as one of its underlying mechanisms; yet, its influence on emotion regulation in PTSS cohort is unknown. Here, we explored the potential effectiveness of an 8-week Compassion-oriented and Mindfulness-based Exposure Therapy (CoMET) for individuals with PTSS using a waitlist control design. A total of 28 individuals (27 females, age range = 18-39 years) participated in the study (17 CoMET; 11 waitlist control). Following CoMET, participants reported significant decreases in PTSS severity (from clinical to non-clinical levels), emotion dysregulation and experiential avoidance, as well as significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion and quality of life. Electroencephalogram-based brain network connectivity analysis revealed an increase in alpha-band connectivity following CoMET in a network that includes the amygdala, suggesting that CoMET successfully induced changes in functional connectivity between brain regions that play a crucial role in emotion regulation. In sum, the current study demonstrated promising intervention outcomes of CoMET in effectively alleviating the symptoms of PTSS via enhanced emotion regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auretta Sonia Kummar
- School of Psychology, College of Health & Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Helen Correia
- School of Psychology, College of Health & Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Psychological Sciences, Australian College of Applied Professions, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jane Tan
- School of Psychology, College of Health & Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hakuei Fujiyama
- School of Psychology, College of Health & Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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29
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Alting van Geusau VVP, de Jongh A, Nuijs MD, Brouwers TC, Moerbeek M, Matthijssen SJMA. The effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptability of EMDR vs. EMDR 2.0 vs. the Flash technique in the treatment of patients with PTSD: study protocol for the ENHANCE randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1278052. [PMID: 38025421 PMCID: PMC10665892 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1278052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several widely studied therapies have proven to be effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is still room for improvement because not all patients benefit from trauma-focused treatments. Improvements in the treatment of PTSD can be achieved by investigating ways to enhance existing therapies, such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, as well as exploring novel treatments. The purpose of the current study is to determine the differential effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptability of EMDR therapy, an adaptation of EMDR therapy, referred to as EMDR 2.0, and a novel intervention for PTSD, the so-called Flash technique. The second aim is to identify the moderators of effectiveness for these interventions. This study will be conducted among individuals diagnosed with PTSD using a randomized controlled trial design. Methods A total of 130 patients diagnosed with (complex) PTSD will be randomly allocated to either six sessions of EMDR therapy, EMDR 2.0, or the Flash technique. The primary outcomes used to determine treatment effectiveness include the presence of a PTSD diagnosis and the severity of PTSD symptoms. The secondary outcomes of effectiveness include symptoms of depression, symptoms of dissociation, general psychiatric symptoms, and experiential avoidance. All patients will be assessed at baseline, at 4-week post-treatment, and at 12-week follow-up. Questionnaires indexing symptoms of PTSD, depression, general psychopathology, and experiential avoidance will also be assessed weekly during treatment and bi-weekly after treatment, until the 12-week follow-up. Efficiency will be assessed by investigating the time it takes both to lose the diagnostic status of PTSD, and to achieve reliable change in PTSD symptoms. Treatment acceptability will be assessed after the first treatment session and after treatment termination. Discussion This study is the first to investigate EMDR 2.0 therapy and the Flash technique in a sample of participants officially diagnosed with PTSD using a randomized controlled trial design. This study is expected to improve the available treatment options for PTSD and provide therapists with alternative ways to choose a therapy beyond its effectiveness by considering moderators, efficiency, and acceptability. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN registry at 10th November 2022 under registration number ISRCTN13100019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentijn V. P. Alting van Geusau
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Altrecht GGz, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ad de Jongh
- Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Psychotrauma Expertise Center (PSYTREC), Bilthoven, Netherlands
- School of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Queen’s University, Belfast, Ireland
| | - Mae D. Nuijs
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Altrecht GGz, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam Moerbeek
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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30
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Bisson JI, Ariti C, Cullen K, Kitchiner N, Lewis C, Roberts NP, Simon N, Smallman K, Addison K, Bell V, Brookes-Howell L, Cosgrove S, Ehlers A, Fitzsimmons D, Foscarini-Craggs P, Harris SRS, Kelson M, Lovell K, McKenna M, McNamara R, Nollett C, Pickles T, Williams-Thomas R. Pragmatic randomised controlled trial of guided self-help versus individual cognitive behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for post-traumatic stress disorder (RAPID). Health Technol Assess 2023; 27:1-141. [PMID: 37982902 PMCID: PMC11017158 DOI: 10.3310/ytqw8336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Guided self-help has been shown to be effective for other mental conditions and, if effective for post-traumatic stress disorder, would offer a time-efficient and accessible treatment option, with the potential to reduce waiting times and costs. Objective To determine if trauma-focused guided self-help is non-inferior to individual, face-to-face cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder to a single traumatic event. Design Multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled non-inferiority trial with economic evaluation to determine cost-effectiveness and nested process evaluation to assess fidelity and adherence, dose and factors that influence outcome (including context, acceptability, facilitators and barriers, measured qualitatively). Participants were randomised in a 1 : 1 ratio. The primary analysis was intention to treat using multilevel analysis of covariance. Setting Primary and secondary mental health settings across the United Kingdom's National Health Service. Participants One hundred and ninety-six adults with a primary diagnosis of mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder were randomised with 82% retention at 16 weeks and 71% at 52 weeks. Nineteen participants and ten therapists were interviewed for the process evaluation. Interventions Up to 12 face-to-face, manualised, individual cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes, or to guided self-help using Spring, an eight-step online guided self-help programme based on cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus, with up to five face-to-face meetings of up to 3 hours in total and four brief telephone calls or e-mail contacts between sessions. Main outcome measures Primary outcome: the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, at 16 weeks post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes: included severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms at 52 weeks, and functioning, symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety, alcohol use and perceived social support at both 16 and 52 weeks post-randomisation. Those assessing outcomes were blinded to group assignment. Results Non-inferiority was demonstrated at the primary end point of 16 weeks on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [mean difference 1.01 (one-sided 95% CI -∞ to 3.90, non-inferiority p = 0.012)]. Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, score improvements of over 60% in both groups were maintained at 52 weeks but the non-inferiority results were inconclusive in favour of cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus at this timepoint [mean difference 3.20 (one-sided 95% confidence interval -∞ to 6.00, non-inferiority p = 0.15)]. Guided self-help using Spring was not shown to be more cost-effective than face-to-face cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus although there was no significant difference in accruing quality-adjusted life-years, incremental quality-adjusted life-years -0.04 (95% confidence interval -0.10 to 0.01) and guided self-help using Spring was significantly cheaper to deliver [£277 (95% confidence interval £253 to £301) vs. £729 (95% CI £671 to £788)]. Guided self-help using Spring appeared to be acceptable and well tolerated by participants. No important adverse events or side effects were identified. Limitations The results are not generalisable to people with post-traumatic stress disorder to more than one traumatic event. Conclusions Guided self-help using Spring for mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder to a single traumatic event appears to be non-inferior to individual face-to-face cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus and the results suggest it should be considered a first-line treatment for people with this condition. Future work Work is now needed to determine how best to effectively disseminate and implement guided self-help using Spring at scale. Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN13697710. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 14/192/97) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 27, No. 26. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan I Bisson
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Cono Ariti
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Katherine Cullen
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Neil Kitchiner
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Psychology & Psychological Therapies Directorate, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, UK
| | - Catrin Lewis
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Neil P Roberts
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Psychology & Psychological Therapies Directorate, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, UK
| | - Natalie Simon
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kim Smallman
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Katy Addison
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Vicky Bell
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Sarah Cosgrove
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anke Ehlers
- University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Shaun R S Harris
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Mark Kelson
- Department of Mathematics, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Karina Lovell
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Claire Nollett
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Tim Pickles
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Doyle O, Wood EK, Sullivan EL, Mackiewicz-Seghete K, Graham A, Gustafsson HC. COVID-19 pandemic-related trauma symptoms are associated with postpartum alcohol consumption. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2023; 85:19-27. [PMID: 37729720 PMCID: PMC10841071 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic has led to escalations in substance use, including alcohol consumption. Of particular concern are the potential impacts during the postpartum period, a time of heightened vulnerability to stress and potential transmission of the negative sequelae of substance use to offspring. However, postpartum alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been well characterized. METHOD Postpartum drinking habits and COVID-19-related stress were repeatedly assessed (every two weeks for 12 weeks, and at one-, six-, and 12-months postpartum) from N = 378 individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Average alcohol use trajectories as well as heterogeneity in trajectories were characterized. COVID-19-related trauma symptoms and coping were examined in relation to alcohol use over time. RESULTS Average postpartum alcohol use included an initial quadratic increase from one-to-four-months postpartum, followed by a plateau between four-to-12-months. Higher (15.08%), moderate (26.90%), and lower consumption (57.90%) subgroups were identified. Endorsement of COVID-19-related trauma symptoms and using alcohol to cope with stress predicted higher consumption. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest a potential sensitive period in establishing postpartum alcohol use patterns from one-to-four-months postpartum. Findings further suggest that postpartum alcohol use is heterogenous and that individual response to major traumatic stressors, like the COVID-19 pandemic, may influence emerging patterns of postpartum alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Doyle
- Psychiatry Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | - Elizabeth K Wood
- Psychiatry Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | - Elinor L Sullivan
- Psychiatry Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | | | - Alice Graham
- Psychiatry Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | - Hanna C Gustafsson
- Psychiatry Department, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Dell L, Sbisa AM, Forbes A, O'Donnell M, Bryant R, Hodson S, Morton D, Battersby M, Tuerk PW, Elliott P, Wallace D, Forbes D. Massed v. standard prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in military personnel and veterans: 12-month follow-up of a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7070-7077. [PMID: 36911997 PMCID: PMC10719628 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The utilisation of massed therapy for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is gaining strength, especially prolonged exposure. However, it is unknown whether massed prolonged exposure (MPE) is non-inferior to standard prolonged exposure (SPE) protocols in the long term. The current study aimed to assess whether MPE was non-inferior to SPE at 12 months post-treatment, and to ascertain changes in secondary measure outcomes. METHODS A multi-site non-inferiority randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared SPE with MPE in 12 clinics. The primary outcome was PTSD symptom severity (CAPS-5) at 12 months post-treatment commencement. Secondary outcome measures included symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, disability, and quality of life at 12 weeks and 12 months post-treatment commencement. Outcome assessors were blinded to treatment allocation. The intention-to-treat sample included 138 Australian military members and veterans and data were analysed for 134 participants (SPE = 71, MPE = 63). RESULTS Reductions in PTSD severity were maintained at 12 months and MPE remained non-inferior to SPE. Both treatment groups experienced a reduction in depression, anxiety, anger, and improvements in quality of life at 12 weeks and 12 months post-treatment commencement. Treatment effects for self-reported disability in the SPE group at 12 weeks were not maintained, with neither group registering significant effects at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS The emergence of massed protocols for PTSD is an important advancement. The current study provides RCT evidence for the longevity of MPE treatment gains at 12 months post-treatment commencement and demonstrated non-inferiority to SPE. Promisingly, both treatments also significantly reduced the severity of comorbid symptoms commonly occurring alongside PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dell
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alyssa M Sbisa
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Forbes
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Meaghan O'Donnell
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Hodson
- Department of Veteran's Affairs, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - David Morton
- Defence, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Malcolm Battersby
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter W Tuerk
- Department of Human Services, Sheila C. Jonson Center for Clinical Services, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Peter Elliott
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Duncan Wallace
- Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Forbes
- Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Lüder CC, Michael T, Lass-Hennemann J, Schanz CG, Venhorst A, Meyer T, Equit M. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training as an adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy in traumatized refugees and asylum seekers: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2251777. [PMID: 37860859 PMCID: PMC10591536 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2251777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Refugees with exposure to multiple traumatic events are at high risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is an effective treatment for the core symptoms of PTSD, but it does not reliably reduce depressive symptoms. Endurance exercise on the other hand was consistently found to be effective in treating depression making it a promising adjunct to NET. Up to date, no studies exist investigating the combination of NET and endurance exercise in a sample of refugees with PTSD and comorbid depression.Objectives: In the proposed randomized controlled trial, we aim to investigate whether a combination of NET and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training (MAET) enhances treatment outcome for refugees with PTSD and comorbid depressive symptoms. We expect a greater improvement in psychopathology in participants who receive the combined treatment.Methods and analysis: 68 refugees and asylum seekers with PTSD and clinically relevant depressive symptoms will be recruited in the proposed study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either NET only (NET-group) or NET plus MAET (NET+-group). All participants will receive 10 NET sessions. Participants in the NET+-group will additionally take part in MAET. Primary (PTSD, depression) and secondary (general mental distress, agoraphobia and somatoform complaints, sleep quality) outcome measures will be assessed before treatment, after treatment, and at six-month follow-up. The hypotheses will be tested with multiple 2 × 3 mixed ANOVA's.Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00022145.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charina C. Lüder
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tanja Michael
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Johanna Lass-Hennemann
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Christian G. Schanz
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andreas Venhorst
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tim Meyer
- Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Monika Equit
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Castro-Camacho L, Barlow DH, García N, Farchione TJ, Idrobo F, Rattner M, Quant DM, González L, Moreno JD. Effects of a Contextual Adaptation of the Unified Protocol in Multiple Emotional Disorders in Individuals Exposed to Armed Conflict in Colombia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry 2023; 80:991-999. [PMID: 37466983 PMCID: PMC10357366 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.2392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Importance A transdiagnostic treatment, the Unified Protocol, is as effective as single diagnostic protocols in comorbid emotional disorders in clinical populations. However, its effects on posttraumatic stress disorder and other emotional disorders in individuals living in war and armed conflict contexts have not been studied. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a cultural and contextual adaptation of the Unified Protocol (CXA-UP) on posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression compared to waitlist control in individuals exposed to armed conflict in Colombia. Design, Setting, and Participants From April 2017 to March 2020, 200 participants 18 years and older were randomly assigned to the CXA-UP or to a waitlist condition. CXA-UP consisted of 12 to 14 twice-a-week or weekly individual 90-minute face-to-face sessions. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3 months following treatment. Analyses were performed and compared for all randomly allocated participants (intent-to-treat [ITT]) and for participants who completed all sessions and posttreatment measures (per protocol [PP]). The study took place at an outpatient university center and included individuals who were registered in the Colombian Victims Unit meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression or were severely impaired by anxiety or depression. Individuals who were receiving psychological therapy, were dependent on alcohol or drugs, were actively suicidal or had attempted suicide in the previous 2 months, had psychosis or bipolar disorder, or were cognitively impaired were excluded. Intervention CXA-UP or waitlist. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were changes in anxiety, depression, and somatic scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5. Results Among the 200 participants (160 women [80.0%]; 40 men [20.0%]; mean [SD] age, 43.1 [11.9] years), 120 were randomized to treatment and 80 to waitlist. Results for primary outcomes in the ITT analysis showed a significant pretreatment-to-posttreatment reduction when comparing treatment and waitlist on the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 scores (slope [SE], -31.12 [3.00]; P < .001; Cohen d, 0.90; 90% CI, 0.63-1.19), 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (slope [SE],-11.94 [1.30]; P < .001; Cohen d, 0.77; 90% CI, 0.52-1.06), PHQ-anxiety (slope [SE], -6.52 [0.67]; P < .001; Cohen d, 0.82; 90% CI, 0.49-1.15), and PHQ-somatic (slope [SE], -8.31 [0.92]; P < .001; Cohen d, 0.75; 90% CI, 0.47-1.04). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, significant reductions and large effect sizes in all measures of different emotional disorders showed efficacy of a single transdiagnostic intervention in individuals exposed to armed conflicts. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03127982.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David H. Barlow
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicolás García
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Todd J. Farchione
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Fabio Idrobo
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michel Rattner
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Diana M. Quant
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura González
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Julián D. Moreno
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Knefel M, Karatzias T, Spinazzola J, Shevlin M, Ford JD. The relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder and developmental trauma disorder with childhood psychopathology: A network analysis. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 99:102766. [PMID: 37690357 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Potentially traumatic experiences are a major risk factor for mental disorders in children and adolescents. Posttraumatic psychopathology includes trauma-specific disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as other psychiatric disorders. Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) has been proposed as a developmentally sensitive diagnosis. We aimed to further illuminate the co-occurrence of psychiatric conditions with DTD and PTSD. METHOD In a convenience sample of families of 507 children and adolescents (mean age = 12.11 years old, SD = 2.92; 48.5% female), we assessed DTD, PTSD, and screened for psychiatric disorders. We estimated network models including DTD, PTSD and ten psychiatric conditions. RESULTS We found that DTD and PTSD share both common and differential comorbidity features on disorder-, domain-, and symptom-level. The differential comorbidity patterns of the DTD and PTSD domains placed DTD close to both externalizing and internalizing psychopathology while PTSD was primarily linked to internalizing conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides evidence for the complex clinical presentation of posttraumatic psychopathology over and above PTSD in children. DTD and PTSD provide useful and distinct diagnostic categories for children who are also experiencing internalizing conditions, and DTD may be especially relevant for children who are experiencing externalizing psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Knefel
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Internal Medicine, Landesklinikum Baden , Baden bei Wien, Austria.
| | - Thanos Karatzias
- School of Health & Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK; Rivers Centre for Traumatic Stress, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Mark Shevlin
- Ulster University, School of Psychology, Coleraine, UK
| | - Julian D Ford
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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Scheer JR, Behari K, Schwarz AA, Cascalheira CJ, Helminen EC, Pirog SA, Jaipuriyar V, Sullivan TP, Batchelder AW, Jackson SD. Expressive writing treatments to reduce PTSD symptom severity and negative alcohol-related outcomes among trauma-exposed sexual minority women and transgender/nonbinary people: Study protocol for a mixed-method pilot trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2023; 35:101197. [PMID: 37671246 PMCID: PMC10475481 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual minority women (SMW) and transgender and/or nonbinary (TNB) individuals report an elevated prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and negative alcohol-related outcomes compared to heterosexual women and cisgender people. SMW and TNB individuals also face barriers to utilizing treatment, which can result in delayed or missed appointments. Accessible, feasible, and effective treatment approaches, such as web-based expressive writing (EW) treatments, are needed to address PTSD and negative alcohol-related outcomes in these populations. Method We describe the design of a mixed-method pilot randomized controlled trial which will compare an EW treatment adapted for SMW and TNB people (stigma-adapted EW) and trauma (i.e., non-adapted) EW with an active (neutral-event) control to determine acceptability and feasibility of a future fully powered randomized controlled trial. The sample will include 150 trauma-exposed SMW and TNB individuals from across the United States who will be randomly assigned to stigma-adapted EW (n = 50), trauma EW (n = 50), or control (n = 50). Participants will be assessed before treatment, one-week after the first writing session, and three-months after the first writing session. This paper identifies steps for evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of the proposed study and determining changes in outcomes resulting from adapted and non-adapted EW treatments to inform refinements. This paper also highlights our strategy for testing theory-driven mediators and moderators of treatment outcomes. Conclusions This mixed-method pilot trial will inform the first fully powered, self-administered, brief web-based treatment to reduce PTSD symptom severity and negative alcohol-related outcomes among trauma-exposed SMW and TNB individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian R. Scheer
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 414 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Kriti Behari
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 414 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Aubriana A. Schwarz
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 414 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Cory J. Cascalheira
- Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Emily C. Helminen
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 414 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Sophia A. Pirog
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 414 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Virinca Jaipuriyar
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 414 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Tami P. Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06501, USA
| | - Abigail W. Batchelder
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Skyler D. Jackson
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06501, USA
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Steil R, Weiss J, Müller-Engelmann M, Dittmann C, Priebe K, Kleindienst N, Fydrich T, Stangier U. Does treatment specific-, disorder specific- or general therapeutic competence predict symptom reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder? Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2257434. [PMID: 37753639 PMCID: PMC10538459 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2257434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Literature on the association between therapist competence and treatment success in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments is scarce and results are mixed.Aims/Objective: The relationship between different types of therapeutic competence, therapeutic alliance, and PTSD symptom reduction in patients treated with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for PTSD (DBT-PTSD) or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) was assessed. Competence types were PTSD-specific competence, treatment specific competence, and general competence in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).Method: Videotaped therapy sessions from N = 160 women with PTSD and emotion regulation difficulties after child abuse participating in a large randomised controlled trial (Bohus et al., 2020) were rated. Three therapeutic competence-types were assessed using specifically developed rating scales. Alliance was assessed via patient ratings with the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ). PTSD symptoms were assessed at pre- and post-treatment via clinician rating with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and via self-rating with the PTSD-Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).Results: No significant association between competence and clinician or self-rated PTSD symptoms was found. PTSD specific competence predicted clinician rated PTSD symptom severity on a trend level. Alliance predicted both clinician and self-rated PTSD symptom reduction.Conclusion: Our results provide a starting point for future research on different competence types and their association with PTSD treatment gains. Therapists were highly trained and received weekly supervision, hence a restricted competence range is a possible explanation for non-existing associations between competence and PTSD symptom reduction in our sample. More research in naturalistic settings, such as dissemination studies, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Steil
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Judith Weiss
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Meike Müller-Engelmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty Human Sciences, Department Psychology, Medical School Hamburg, Germany
| | - Clara Dittmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kathlen Priebe
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Kleindienst
- Institute of Psychiatric and Psychosomatic Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Fydrich
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Stangier
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Askovic M, Soh N, Elhindi J, Harris AW. Neurofeedback for post-traumatic stress disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and neurophysiological outcomes. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2257435. [PMID: 37732560 PMCID: PMC10515677 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2257435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Existing treatments often fail to address the complexity of its symptoms and functional impairments resulting from severe and prolonged trauma. Electroencephalographic Neurofeedback (NFB) has emerged as a promising treatment that aims to reduce the symptoms of PTSD by modulating brain activity.Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of ten clinical trials to answer the question: how effective is NFB in addressing PTSD and other associated symptoms across different trauma populations, and are these improvements related to neurophysiological changes?Method: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta analyses guidelines. We considered all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSIs) involving adults with PTSD as a primary diagnosis without exclusion by type of trauma, co-morbid diagnosis, locality, or sex. Ten controlled studies were included; seven RCTs and three NRSIs with a total number of participants n = 293 (128 male). Only RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (215 participants; 88 male).Results: All included studies showed an advantage of NFB over control conditions in reducing symptoms of PTSD, with indications of improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression and related neurophysiological changes. Meta-analysis of the pooled data shows a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms post-treatment SMD of -1.76 (95% CI -2.69, -0.83), and the mean remission rate was higher in the NFB group (79.3%) compared to the control group (24.4%). However, the studies reviewed were mostly small, with heterogeneous populations and varied quality.Conclusions: The effect of NFB on the symptoms of PTSD was moderate and mechanistic evidence suggested that NFB leads to therapeutic changes in brain functioning. Future research should focus on more rigorous methodological designs, expanded sample size and longer follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Askovic
- New South Wales Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Specialty of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nerissa Soh
- Specialty of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James Elhindi
- Research and Education Network, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anthony W.F. Harris
- Specialty of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Dowllah IM, Melville C. Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder in refugees and asylum seekers resettled in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Health Psychol 2023:13591053231199254. [PMID: 37728258 DOI: 10.1177/13591053231199254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Refugees and asylum seekers are more prone to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. This systematic review aims to determine which psychosocial interventions effectively treat PTSD among refugees and asylum seekers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Relevant papers were retrieved from the bibliographic databases. PTSD symptoms post-intervention was the primary outcome. Ten studies were selected with 1981 participants. In meta-analyses of Randomised control trials (RCTs), psychosocial interventions for PTSD (SMD -0.60, 95% CI -0.96 to -0.23; I2 = 91%; 95% CI 75-100; nine studies, 1789 participants) were shown to be clinically effective. Also, in case of depression (SMD -0.59, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.22; I2 = 84%; 95% CI 50-90; seven studies, 1248 participants). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) had the greatest effect size among psychosocial therapies for this demographic. However, the number of studies is small, and their methodological rigour is limited, thus future study should concentrate on performing more rigorous trials.
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López-Del-Hoyo Y, Fernández-Martínez S, Pérez-Aranda A, Barceló-Soler A, Bani M, Russo S, Urcola-Pardo F, Strepparava MG, García-Campayo J. Effects of eHealth interventions on stress reduction and mental health promotion in healthcare professionals: A systematic review. J Clin Nurs 2023; 32:5514-5533. [PMID: 36703266 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness of eHealth interventions to reduce stress and promote mental health in healthcare professionals, and to compare the efficacy of different types of programs (guided vs. self-guided; 'third-wave' psychotherapies vs. other types). BACKGROUND Healthcare workers present high levels of stress, which constitutes a risk factor for developing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. eHealth interventions have been designed to reduce these professional's stress considering that the characteristics of this delivery method make it a cost-effective and very appealing alternative because of its fast and easy access. DESIGN A systematic review of quantitative studies. METHODS A comprehensive database search for quantitative studies was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane (until 1 April 2022). The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and SWiM reporting guidelines. The quality of the studies was assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute tools. RESULTS The abstracts of 6349 articles were assessed and 60 underwent in-depth review, with 27 fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The interventions were classified according to their format (self-guided vs. guided) and contents ('third-wave' psychotherapies vs. others). Twenty-two interventions emerged, 13 of which produced significant posttreatment reductions in stress levels of health professionals (9 self-guided, 8 'third wave' psychotherapies). Significant effects in improving depressive symptomatology, anxiety, burnout, resilience and mindfulness, amongst others, were also found. CONCLUSION The evidence gathered in this review highlights the heterogeneity of the eHealth interventions that have been studied; self-guided and 'third-wave' psychotherapy programs are the most common, often with promising results, although the methodological shortcomings of most studies hinder the extraction of sound conclusions. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022310199. No Patient or Public Contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda López-Del-Hoyo
- Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS) RD21/0016/0005, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Selene Fernández-Martínez
- Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Adrián Pérez-Aranda
- Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Alberto Barceló-Soler
- Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Navarra Medical Research Institute (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marco Bani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Selena Russo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Fernando Urcola-Pardo
- Department of Physiatry and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Group Water and Environmental Health (B43_20R), University Institute of Research in Environmental Science of Aragon, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maria Grazia Strepparava
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Clinical Unit "Psicologia Clinica", Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Javier García-Campayo
- Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS) RD21/0016/0005, Zaragoza, Spain
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Iyadurai L, Highfield J, Kanstrup M, Markham A, Ramineni V, Guo B, Jaki T, Kingslake J, Goodwin GM, Summers C, Bonsall MB, Holmes EA. Reducing intrusive memories after trauma via an imagery-competing task intervention in COVID-19 intensive care staff: a randomised controlled trial. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:290. [PMID: 37658043 PMCID: PMC10474101 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02578-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrusive memories (IMs) after traumatic events can be distressing and disrupt mental health and functioning. We evaluated the impact of a brief remotely-delivered digital imagery-competing task intervention on the number of IMs for intensive care unit (ICU) staff who faced repeated trauma exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic using a two-arm, parallel-group, single-blind randomised controlled trial, with the comparator arm receiving delayed access to active treatment (crossover). Eligible participants worked clinically in a UK NHS ICU during the pandemic and had at least 3 IMs of work-related traumatic events in the week before recruitment. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to immediate (weeks 1-4) or delayed (weeks 5-8) intervention access. Sequential Bayesian analyses to optimise the intervention and increase trial efficiency are reported elsewhere [1]. The primary endpoint for the pre-specified frequentist analysis of the final study population compared the number of IMs experienced in week 4 between the immediate and delayed access arms. Secondary outcomes included clinical symptoms, work functioning and wellbeing. Safety was assessed throughout the trial by scheduled questions and free report. All analyses were undertaken on an intention-to-treat basis (86 randomised participants). There were significantly fewer intrusive memories during week 4 in the immediate (median = 1, IQR = 0-3, n = 43), compared to the comparator delayed arm (median = 10, IQR = 6-17, n = 43), IRR 0.31, 95% CI: 0.20-0.48, p < 0.001. After crossover, the delayed arm also showed a significant reduction in IMs at week 8 compared to week 4. There were convergent findings for symptoms of PTSD, insomnia and anxiety, work engagement and burnout, general functioning and quality of life. The intervention was found safe and acceptable to participants. All adverse events were unrelated to the study. Our study provides the first evidence of a benefit on reducing IMs, improving other clinical symptoms, work functioning and wellbeing, as well as safety of a brief remotely-delivered digital imagery-competing task intervention. An efficacy trial with an active control and longer follow-up is warranted. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04992390).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marie Kanstrup
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Uppsala County, Sweden
| | | | - Varsha Ramineni
- P1vital Products Ltd, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Uppsala County, Sweden
| | - Boliang Guo
- NIHR ARC East Midlands, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Thomas Jaki
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
- University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | | | - Guy M Goodwin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Charlotte Summers
- Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Michael B Bonsall
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Uppsala County, Sweden.
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Tillman GD, Morris EE, Bass C, Turner M, Watson K, Brooks JT, Rawlinson T, Kozel FA, Kraut MA, Motes MA, Hart J. P3a amplitude to trauma-related stimuli reduced after successful trauma-focused PTSD treatment. Biol Psychol 2023; 182:108648. [PMID: 37482132 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
An elevated P3a amplitude to trauma-related stimuli is strongly associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet little is known about whether this response to trauma-related stimuli is affected by treatment that decreases PTSD symptoms. As an analysis of secondary outcome measures from a randomized controlled trial, we investigated the latency and amplitude changes of the P3a in responses in a three-condition oddball visual task that included trauma-related (combat scenes) and trauma-unrelated (threatening animals) distractors. Fifty-five U.S. veterans diagnosed with combat-related PTSD were randomized to receive either active or sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). All received cognitive processing therapy, CPT+A, which requires a written account of the index trauma. They were tested before and 6 months after protocol completion. P3a amplitude and response time decreases were driven largely by the changes in the responses to the trauma-related stimuli, and this decrease correlated to the decrease in PTSD symptoms. The amplitude changes were greater in those who received rTMS + CPT than in those who received sham rTMS + CPT, suggesting that rTMS plays beneficial role in reducing arousal and threat bias, which may allow for more effective engagement in trauma-focused PTSD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail D Tillman
- Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | | | - Christina Bass
- Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mary Turner
- Departments of Psychiatry University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kelsey Watson
- Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jared T Brooks
- Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tyler Rawlinson
- Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - F Andrew Kozel
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Michael A Kraut
- Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael A Motes
- Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John Hart
- Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA; Departments of Psychiatry University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Departments of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Laplaud N, Perrochon A, Gallou-Guyot M, Moens M, Goudman L, David R, Rigoard P, Billot M. Management of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms by yoga: an overview. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:258. [PMID: 37480017 PMCID: PMC10360332 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04074-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after trauma. While PTSD management strategies include first-line pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, mind-body therapies, such as yoga, are applied in the PTSD population. This overview aimed to summarize the effectiveness of yoga interventions on PTSD symptoms in adults in a systematic review (SR) including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHOD We searched for SR with or without meta-analysis of RCTs involving adults with PTSD diagnosis or trauma history. The search was conducted until April 2022, through six databases (Cochrane Database, MEDLINE (Pubmed), Scopus, Embase, CINHAL and PEDro). The primary outcome was the evolution of PTSD symptoms throughout the intervention. Secondary outcomes included follow-up, safety, adherence, and cost of the intervention. Two authors independently performed the selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment with the AMSTAR 2 tool and overlap calculation. This overview is a qualitative summary of the results obtained in the selected studies. RESULTS Eleven SRs were analyzed, of which 8 included meta-analyses. The overlap between studies was considered very high (corrected covered area of 21%). Fifty-nine RCTs involving 4434 participants were included. Yoga had a significant small-to-moderate effect-size on PTSD symptom decrease in 7 SRs and non-significant effects in 1 SR with meta-analysis. All SR without meta-analysis found beneficial effects of yoga on PTSD. Secondary outcomes were not sufficiently assessed to provide clear evidence. Results should be interpreted with caution as 1 SR was rated as at moderate risk of bias, 3 as low and 7 as critically low. CONCLUSIONS While yoga therapy seems promising for decreasing PTSD symptoms, future research should standardize yoga therapy duration/frequency/type and consider long-term efficacy to better delineate yoga therapy efficacy in PTSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Laplaud
- ILFOMER (Institut Limousin de FOrmation Aux Métiers de La Réadaptation), Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Anaïck Perrochon
- ILFOMER (Institut Limousin de FOrmation Aux Métiers de La Réadaptation), Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
- Laboratoire HAVAE, Université de Limoges, 20217, Limoges, UR, France
| | | | - Maarten Moens
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- STIMULUS Research Consortium (Research and TeachIng Neuromodulation Uz Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lisa Goudman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- STIMULUS Research Consortium (Research and TeachIng Neuromodulation Uz Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO), 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Romain David
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Poitiers University Hospital, University of Poitiers, 86000, Poitiers, France
- PRISMATICS (Predictive Research In Spine/Neurostimulation Management And Thoracic Innovation in Cardiac Surgery), University Hospital of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Philippe Rigoard
- PRISMATICS (Predictive Research In Spine/Neurostimulation Management And Thoracic Innovation in Cardiac Surgery), University Hospital of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
- Department of Spine Neurosurgery & Neuromodulation, Poitiers University Hospital, 86000, Poitiers, France
- ISAE-ENSMA, Pprime Institute UPR 3346, CNRS, University of Poitiers, 86000, Poitiers, France
| | - Maxime Billot
- PRISMATICS (Predictive Research In Spine/Neurostimulation Management And Thoracic Innovation in Cardiac Surgery), University Hospital of Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
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Dell L, Sbisa AM, Forbes A, O'Donnell M, Bryant R, Hodson S, Morton D, Battersby M, Tuerk PW, Wallace D, Forbes D. Effect of massed v. standard prolonged exposure therapy on PTSD in military personnel and veterans: a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Psychol Med 2023; 53:4192-4199. [PMID: 35440345 PMCID: PMC10317798 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A short, effective therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could decrease barriers to implementation and uptake, reduce dropout, and ameliorate distressing symptoms in military personnel and veterans. This non-inferiority RCT evaluated the efficacy of 2-week massed prolonged exposure (MPE) therapy compared to standard 10-week prolonged exposure (SPE), the current gold standard treatment, in reducing PTSD severity in both active serving and veterans in a real-world health service system. METHODS This single-blinded multi-site non-inferiority RCT took place in 12 health clinics across Australia. The primary outcome was PTSD symptom severity measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) at 12 weeks. 138 military personnel and veterans with PTSD were randomised. 71 participants were allocated to SPE, with 63 allocated to MPE. RESULTS The intention-to-treat sample included 138 participants, data were analysed for 134 participants (88.1% male, M = 46 years). The difference between the mean MPE and SPE group PTSD scores from baseline to 12 weeks-post therapy was 0.94 [95% confidence interval (CI) -4.19 to +6.07]. The upper endpoint of the 95% CI was below +7, indicating MPE was non-inferior to SPE. Significant rates of loss of PTSD diagnosis were found for both groups (MPE 53.8%, SPE 54.1%). Dropout rates were 4.8% (MPE) and 16.9% (SPE). CONCLUSIONS MPE was non-inferior to SPE in significantly reducing symptoms of PTSD. Significant reductions in symptom severity, low dropout rates, and loss of diagnosis indicate MPE is a feasible, accessible, and effective treatment. Findings demonstrate novel methods to deliver gold-standard treatments for PTSD should be routinely considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dell
- Phoenix Australia – Center for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alyssa M. Sbisa
- Phoenix Australia – Center for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Forbes
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Meaghan O'Donnell
- Phoenix Australia – Center for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Hodson
- Department of Veteran's Affairs, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - David Morton
- Department of Defence, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Malcolm Battersby
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter W. Tuerk
- Sheila C. Johnson Center for Clinical Services, Department of Human Services, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Duncan Wallace
- Australian Defence Force Center for Mental Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Forbes
- Phoenix Australia – Center for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Cope SR, Smith JG, El-Leithy S, Vanzan S, Pentland C, Pick S, Golder D, Hogwood P, Turner K, Billings J, Edwards MJ. MODIFI: protocol for randomised feasibility study of eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) for functional neurological disorder (FND). BMJ Open 2023; 13:e073727. [PMID: 37270188 PMCID: PMC10255051 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Functional neurological disorder (FND) refers to an involuntary loss of control over and/or aberrant perception of the body. Common presenting symptoms are functional (non-epileptic) seizures, and functional motor disorder, for example, walking difficulties, weakness or tremor. Greater access to effective treatments would lead to reduced distress and disability; and reduce unnecessary healthcare costs.This study will examine eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) as a treatment for FND. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but its use for other conditions is growing. An FND-specific EMDR protocol will be tested, and if the intervention proves feasible with promising clinical outcomes, progression to a substantive study could take place. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Fifty adult patients diagnosed with FND will be recruited. It will be a single-blind randomised controlled trial with two arms: EMDR (plus standard neuropsychiatric care; NPC) and standard NPC. The two groups will be compared at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2) and 9 months (T3). Measures of feasibility include safety, recruitment, retention, treatment adherence and acceptability. Clinical outcome measures will assess health-related functioning/quality of life, ratings of FND symptoms and severity, depression, anxiety, PTSD, dissociation, service utilisation and other costs. Improvement and satisfaction ratings will also be assessed. Feasibility outcomes will be summarised using descriptive statistics. Exploratory analyses using (linear/logistic) mixed-effect models will examine the rate of change in the groups' clinical outcome measures across the four time-points.After the intervention period, a sample of participants, and clinicians, will be invited to attend semistructured interviews. The interviews will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has been approved by the NHS West Midlands-Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee. Study findings will be published in open access peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and communicated to participants and other relevant stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05455450 (www. CLINICALTRIALS gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Cope
- South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, Tooting, UK
| | - Jared G Smith
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
- Clinical Research Unit, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Sharif El-Leithy
- Traumatic Stress Service, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Serena Vanzan
- Clinical Research Unit, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Caitlin Pentland
- Clinical Research Unit, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Susannah Pick
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | | | | | - Kati Turner
- South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, Tooting, UK
| | - Jo Billings
- Department of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mark J Edwards
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Griffin SM, Lebedová A, Ahern E, McMahon G, Bradshaw D, Muldoon OT. PROTOCOL: Group-based interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of trauma type. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2023; 19:e1328. [PMID: 37192982 PMCID: PMC10182838 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The primary objective is to assess the effects of group-based treatments on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology in people diagnosed with PTSD (by a clinician or screening instrument) or referred to a PTSD treatment group for their symptoms by a medical professional. We will also examine a range of moderators that may affect the efficacy of group-based treatments, including the nature of the trauma (interpersonal, stigmatized) and the group fit (in terms of gender and shared vs. unshared trauma). Further, we will also explore what, if any, group-based and social identity factors are recorded and how they relate to PTSD outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhán M. Griffin
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of PsychologyUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland
| | - Alžběta Lebedová
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of PsychologyUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland
| | - Elayne Ahern
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of PsychologyUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland
| | - Grace McMahon
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of PsychologyUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland
| | - Daragh Bradshaw
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of PsychologyUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland
| | - Orla T. Muldoon
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of PsychologyUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland
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Lewis C, Bailey L, Ariti C, Kitchiner NJ, Roberts NP, Simon N, Bisson JI. Social support as a predictor of outcomes of cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus delivered face-to-face and via guided internet-based self-help. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:511-523. [PMID: 37277907 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There is mounting evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus (CBT-TF) delivered via guided internet-based self-help is noninferior to CBT-TF delivered face-to-face for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of mild-to-moderate severity. The availability of multiple evidence-based treatment options creates a need to determine predictors of outcome to enable clinicians to make informed treatment recommendations. We examined perceived social support as a predictor of treatment adherence and response among 196 adults with PTSD enrolled in a multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and PTSD was assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5. Linear regression was used to explore the associations between different dimensions of perceived social support (i.e., from friends, family, and significant others) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at baseline. Linear and logistic regression were used to determine whether these dimensions of support predicted treatment adherence or response for either treatment modality. Lower baseline perceived social support from family was associated with higher levels of PTSS, B = -0.24, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.08], p = .003, but the same did not apply to social support from friends or significant others. We did not find evidence that any dimension of social support predicted treatment adherence or response for either treatment. This work does not indicate that social support is a factor that can help predict the suitability of psychological therapy for PTSD delivered via guided internet-based self-help versus face-to-face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrin Lewis
- National Centre for Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Leah Bailey
- National Centre for Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Cono Ariti
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Neil J Kitchiner
- National Centre for Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Psychology and Psychological Therapies Directorate, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Neil P Roberts
- National Centre for Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Psychology and Psychological Therapies Directorate, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Simon
- National Centre for Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Psychology and Psychological Therapies Directorate, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan I Bisson
- National Centre for Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Hannigan B, van Deursen R, Barawi K, Kitchiner N, Bisson JI. Factors associated with the outcomes of a novel virtual reality therapy for military veterans with PTSD: Theory development using a mixed methods analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285763. [PMID: 37228076 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multi-modular motion-assisted memory desensitization and reconsolidation therapy (3MDR) is a new psychological intervention for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 3MDR is immersive, delivered in a virtual reality environment, and emphasises engagement, recollection and reprocessing. OBJECTIVE Through a theory-driven examination of data relating to 10 out of 42 UK military veterans taking part in a trial of 3MDR, the principal objective was to explore the complex interrelationships between people, interventions and context and to investigate how factors within these domains interacted in specific outcome typologies. METHOD Quantitative and qualitative data relating to 10 trial participants were derived from: researcher-assessed and self-report clinical measures; interviews; physiological recordings; words describing thoughts and feelings during therapy; and subjective unit of distress scores. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, data were tabulated using a person, intervention and context model. Participant summaries were grouped into outcome typologies, followed by an analysis of data convergence and divergence within each and an interpretation of identified patterns. RESULTS Three outcome response typologies were identified: dramatic improvement, moderate improvement and minimal improvement. Within the person domain, factors associated with outcomes included walking capacity, commitment and ability to complete therapy, and levels of subjective distress. Within the intervention domain, factors associated with outcomes related to image selection and use, therapeutic alliance and orientations towards the tailoring of sessions. Within the context domain, factors associated with outcomes included reactions to the therapy environment. The patterning of secondary outcomes broadly corresponded with primary outcomes within each typology. Alongside patterned data differentiating aspects of the person, intervention and context domains, within the three response typologies data also existed where no obvious patterning was detected. CONCLUSIONS The model developed here may have novel value in evaluating a range of personalised interventions, but further work is needed before confident assertions can be made of who is likely to benefit from 3MDR specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Hannigan
- School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Robert van Deursen
- School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Kali Barawi
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Kitchiner
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Veterans' NHS Wales, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Brewerton TD. The integrated treatment of eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychiatric comorbidity: a commentary on the evolution of principles and guidelines. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1149433. [PMID: 37252137 PMCID: PMC10213703 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1149433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric comorbidity is the norm in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders (EDs), and traumatic events and lifetime PTSD are often major drivers of these challenging complexities. Given that trauma, PTSD, and psychiatric comorbidity significantly influence ED outcomes, it is imperative that these problems be appropriately addressed in ED practice guidelines. The presence of associated psychiatric comorbidity is noted in some but not all sets of existing guidelines, but they mostly do little to address the problem other than referring to independent guidelines for other disorders. This disconnect perpetuates a "silo effect," in which each set of guidelines do not address the complexity of the other comorbidities. Although there are several published practice guidelines for the treatment of EDs, and likewise, there are several published practice guidelines for the treatment of PTSD, none of them specifically address ED + PTSD. The result is a lack of integration between ED and PTSD treatment providers, which often leads to fragmented, incomplete, uncoordinated and ineffective care of severely ill patients with ED + PTSD. This situation can inadvertently promote chronicity and multimorbidity and may be particularly relevant for patients treated in higher levels of care, where prevalence rates of concurrent PTSD reach as high as 50% with many more having subthreshold PTSD. Although there has been some progress in the recognition and treatment of ED + PTSD, recommendations for treating this common comorbidity remain undeveloped, particularly when there are other co-occurring psychiatric disorders, such as mood, anxiety, dissociative, substance use, impulse control, obsessive-compulsive, attention-deficit hyperactivity, and personality disorders, all of which may also be trauma-related. In this commentary, guidelines for assessing and treating patients with ED + PTSD and related comorbidity are critically reviewed. An integrated set of principles used in treatment planning of PTSD and trauma-related disorders is recommended in the context of intensive ED therapy. These principles and strategies are borrowed from several relevant evidence-based approaches. Evidence suggests that continuing with traditional single-disorder focused, sequential treatment models that do not prioritize integrated, trauma-focused treatment approaches are short-sighted and often inadvertently perpetuate this dangerous multimorbidity. Future ED practice guidelines would do well to address concurrent illness in more depth.
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Jones KA, Freijah I, Brennan SE, McKenzie JE, Bright TM, Fiolet R, Kamitsis I, Reid C, Davis E, Andrews S, Muzik M, Segal L, Herrman H, Chamberlain C. Interventions from pregnancy to two years after birth for parents experiencing complex post-traumatic stress disorder and/or with childhood experience of maltreatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 5:CD014874. [PMID: 37146219 PMCID: PMC10162699 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014874.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acceptable, effective and feasible support strategies (interventions) for parents experiencing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) symptoms or with a history of childhood maltreatment may offer an opportunity to support parental recovery, reduce the risk of intergenerational transmission of trauma and improve life-course trajectories for children and future generations. However, evidence relating to the effect of interventions has not been synthesised to provide a comprehensive review of available support strategies. This evidence synthesis is critical to inform further research, practice and policy approaches in this emerging area. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions provided to support parents who were experiencing CPTSD symptoms or who had experienced childhood maltreatment (or both), on parenting capacity and parental psychological or socio-emotional wellbeing. SEARCH METHODS In October 2021 we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, six other databases and two trials registers, together with checking references and contacting experts to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA All variants of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any intervention delivered in the perinatal period designed to support parents experiencing CPTSD symptoms or with a history of childhood maltreatment (or both), to any active or inactive control. Primary outcomes were parental psychological or socio-emotional wellbeing and parenting capacity between pregnancy and up to two years postpartum. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed the eligibility of trials for inclusion, extracted data using a pre-designed data extraction form, and assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence. We contacted study authors for additional information as required. We analysed continuous data using mean difference (MD) for outcomes using a single measure, and standardised mean difference (SMD) for outcomes using multiple measures, and risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous data. All data are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We undertook meta-analyses using random-effects models. MAIN RESULTS We included evidence from 1925 participants in 15 RCTs that investigated the effect of 17 interventions. All included studies were published after 2005. Interventions included seven parenting interventions, eight psychological interventions and two service system approaches. The studies were funded by major research councils, government departments and philanthropic/charitable organisations. All evidence was of low or very low certainty. Parenting interventions Evidence was very uncertain from a study (33 participants) assessing the effects of a parenting intervention compared to attention control on trauma-related symptoms, and psychological wellbeing symptoms (postpartum depression), in mothers who had experienced childhood maltreatment and were experiencing current parenting risk factors. Evidence suggested that parenting interventions may improve parent-child relationships slightly compared to usual service provision (SMD 0.45, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.96; I2 = 60%; 2 studies, 153 participants; low-certainty evidence). There may be little or no difference between parenting interventions and usual perinatal service in parenting skills including nurturance, supportive presence and reciprocity (SMD 0.25, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.58; I2 = 0%; 4 studies, 149 participants; low-certainty evidence). No studies assessed the effects of parenting interventions on parents' substance use, relationship quality or self-harm. Psychological interventions Psychological interventions may result in little or no difference in trauma-related symptoms compared to usual care (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.31; I2 = 39%; 4 studies, 247 participants; low-certainty evidence). Psychological interventions may make little or no difference compared to usual care to depression symptom severity (8 studies, 507 participants, low-certainty evidence, SMD -0.34, 95% CI -0.66 to -0.03; I2 = 63%). An interpersonally focused cognitive behavioural analysis system of psychotherapy may slightly increase the number of pregnant women who quit smoking compared to usual smoking cessation therapy and prenatal care (189 participants, low-certainty evidence). A psychological intervention may slightly improve parents' relationship quality compared to usual care (1 study, 67 participants, low-certainty evidence). Benefits for parent-child relationships were very uncertain (26 participants, very low-certainty evidence), while there may be a slight improvement in parenting skills compared to usual care (66 participants, low-certainty evidence). No studies assessed the effects of psychological interventions on parents' self-harm. Service system approaches One service system approach assessed the effect of a financial empowerment education programme, with and without trauma-informed peer support, compared to usual care for parents with low incomes. The interventions increased depression slightly (52 participants, low-certainty evidence). No studies assessed the effects of service system interventions on parents' trauma-related symptoms, substance use, relationship quality, self-harm, parent-child relationships or parenting skills. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is currently a lack of high-quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions to improve parenting capacity or parental psychological or socio-emotional wellbeing in parents experiencing CPTSD symptoms or who have experienced childhood maltreatment (or both). This lack of methodological rigour and high risk of bias made it difficult to interpret the findings of this review. Overall, results suggest that parenting interventions may slightly improve parent-child relationships but have a small, unimportant effect on parenting skills. Psychological interventions may help some women stop smoking in pregnancy, and may have small benefits on parents' relationships and parenting skills. A financial empowerment programme may slightly worsen depression symptoms. While potential beneficial effects were small, the importance of a positive effect in a small number of parents must be considered when making treatment and care decisions. There is a need for further high-quality research into effective strategies for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley A Jones
- Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Isabella Freijah
- Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Sue E Brennan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joanne E McKenzie
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tess M Bright
- Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Renee Fiolet
- Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Ilias Kamitsis
- Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Carol Reid
- Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Elise Davis
- Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Shawana Andrews
- Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Maria Muzik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Leonie Segal
- Health Economics and Social Policy, Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Australia
| | - Helen Herrman
- Orygen, National Centre of Excellenece in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine Chamberlain
- Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
- Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- NGANGK YIRA Murdoch University Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
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