CBITS - Treat Trauma in Child Welfare
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderThe goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the trauma-focused group intervention CBITS compared with enhanced treatment as usual (TAU+) in child welfare programs in Germany. The target group are traumatized children and adolescents in out-of-home care who report posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
Strengthening Family Coping Resources Open Trials
Intervention EffectivenessPractice-based Evidence1 moreStrengthening Families Coping Resources (SFCR) Open Trials completes the second stage of the National Institute on Drug Abuse's intervention development model by testing a new family, skills-based intervention involving pre-post evaluation of families participating in multi-family groups. The purpose of this study is to gather practice-based evidence on the effectiveness of the manualized treatment, on the dynamics involved in the group format, and on implementation fidelity and feasibility. Analyses will involve initial exploration of the following hypotheses: 1) Families will show a significant increase in the constructive use of family coping skills and in general family functioning. 2) The target child will show a reduction in trauma-related symptoms and behavior problems. 3) Parents will show significant reductions in traumatic stress and other symptoms of distress. 4) Families will engage and participate in the treatment. 5) Providers will implement SFCR with fidelity. Other outcomes of interest are the process measures that will be collected to monitor participation in the groups, cultural sensitivity and acceptability, clinician competence, and intervention integrity.
Imaging SV2A in Mood Disorders
Major Depressive DisorderPost-Traumatic Stress DisorderThis study is designed to examine SV2A density in MDD and PTSD as a correlate of synaptic density, and to determine whether ketamine administration will reverse the synaptic loss in vivo in human subjects. To our knowledge, this is the first human study to examine SV2A in vivo in MDD and PTSD and to use the first known drug (ketamine) that rapidly reverses synaptic loss to determine whether ketamine administration could restore some of the structural changes associated with depression and PTSD. After a screening process to determine eligibility, all subjects will participate in an MRI, and 2-3 PET scans with the administration of ketamine for one of the scans. Cognitive testing and a stress test may also be done on scan days.
Intensive Treatment Versus Standard Weekly Prolonged Exposure for Adults With Post-Traumatic Stress...
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderThe goal of this clinical trial is to compare a novel, massed treatment format of prolonged exposure to gold standard trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (weekly delivered prolonged exposure) for post-traumatic stress disorder. The objective with this study is to investigate efficacy, mechanisms of change and cost effectiveness of intensive prolonged exposure (I-PE) in regular Swedish psychiatric care. Adult patients with post-traumatic stress disorder will be randomly assigned to receive either gold standard prolonged exposure weekly for 15 weeks or 5 days of intensive treatment with the addition of three booster sessions dispersed 1, 2 and 4 weeks after completion of the massed treatment period.
RIVER At Home Ketamine Protocols
Chronic ConditionChronic Pain4 moreMultiple site studies with the recruitment of other sub-investigators and sites. It's sobering to consider how chronic illness makes us more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts and behavior. However, the existence of multiple risk factors also means that there are numerous ways to intervene. Addressing and improving even one risk area will reverberate and improve other areas and the quality of life. RIVER Foundation is completing a 500-participant pilot study researching the safety of oral and nasal ketamine at home with no therapy. The pilot study examined three psychological scales: P.H.Q. 9, G.A.D. 7, and PCL5 scores. The interim report will be available in Nov 2023 with a final report in June 2024. The lack of knowledge for the average medical practitioner makes ketamine a boutique medicine, often costly and unaffordable to those in need. Yet daily medical providers are eliminating ketamine as a choice in the treatment of chronic conditions. The pilot study demonstrated the who, and where. The who, was adults with a chronic condition. The pilot study demonstrated the majority of those who could use ketamine are not receiving it due to cost. According to the 500-participant study, ketamine is safe and effective for at-home use thus demonstrating the where (at home with no supervision).
Mechanisms Underlying Efficacy of Prolonged Exposure
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderThe primary objective of this research is to collect pilot data that demonstrates that proposed neural, psychophysiological and subjective markers measured before, during, and after treatment change over the course of Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of the study are to: (1) examine theoretically informed mechanisms as pretreatment predictors of PE treatment efficacy, (2) characterize how neural, psychophysiological, and subjective markers measured before, during, and after treatment change over the course of PE, and (3) examine proposed mechanisms of change as measures of PE treatment efficacy. This is a longitudinal study of predictors of exposure therapy efficacy that will be conducted within the context of a standard 10 session PE treatment trial, with independent multimodal assessment batteries administered at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. This data will be used to support a future NIMH and/or VA grant submission.
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Veterans With Moderate to Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderThis randomized, double-blind, single-site phase II 2-arm study will investigate the safety and preliminary efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy compared with low dose d-amphetamine-assisted therapy on the severity of PTSD symptoms in participants aged 18 years and older with PTSD of at least moderate severity.
Positive Processes and Transition to Health (PATH)
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderMajor Depressive DisorderThe R33 will be a randomized controlled trial to replicate changes in the targets (unproductive processing, avoidance, reward deficits) from the R61 phase in a larger sample of 135 participants who have experienced a destabilizing life event involving profound loss or threat, report persistent stressor-related symptoms of PTSD and/or depression, and are elevated on symptoms related to 2 of the 3 therapeutic targets. Additionally, this study will examine Positive Processes and Transition to Health (PATH)'s impact on stressor-related psychopathology in comparison to Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). In the R33 phase, we will examine changes in target mechanisms predicting improvements in PTSD and depressive symptoms, as well as feasibility and acceptability. Patients will receive 6 sessions of PATH or PMR (with 2 boosters, if partial responders). Primary targets will be assessed at pre-treatment, week 3, post-treatment, and at 1- and 3-month follow-up; secondary targets at pre-treatment, weekly during treatment, post-treatment, and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.
Evaluating Treatments for Suicidal Veterans With PTSD
Self-directed ViolencePost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a significant driver of suicide risk among Veterans, but there is a critical knowledge gap about how to treat PTSD among people at elevated risk for suicide. Although evidence-based treatments for PTSD reduce suicide risk, Veterans at high risk for suicidal behavior rarely receive these potentially life-saving treatments. Prior research suggests that a treatment that combines Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with the DBT Prolonged Exposure protocol (DBT PE) for PTSD improves both PTSD and suicide-related outcomes. This study will evaluate whether DBT + DBT PE improves these outcomes more than Prolonged Exposure plus suicide risk management, the gold standard VA care for this population. The proposed study will also examine factors that make it easier and harder to implement these treatments in VA settings. The results will help to inform treatment guidelines for this high-priority Veteran population.
MDMA-Assisted CBCT for PTSD vs CBCT RCT
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderThis study aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) versus CBCT alone for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a debilitating condition that significantly impacts interpersonal relationships and the functioning of individuals and their loved ones. There is also a well-established reciprocal relationship between interpersonal relationships, PTSD, and recovery. CBCT is a manualized treatment for PTSD that simultaneously addresses PTSD symptoms and relationship satisfaction. It provides dyads with behavioral tools to navigate PTSD-related challenges, as well as the knowledge behind PTSD and how it impacts relationships. Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of CBCT in improving PTSD symptoms, partner functioning, and relationship satisfaction in both distressed and non-distressed dyads. MDMA is a drug commonly used recreationally that has been increasingly studied because of its ability to reduce the impact of PTSD symptoms. The effects of MDMA are reduced fear, enhanced communication, trust and introspection, and increased empathy and compassion. The effects of MDMA create a state that enhances the positive effects of therapy by increasing the ability to tolerate negative emotions and allowing clients to stay engaged in therapy without being overwhelmed by the intense emotions surrounding the memories of traumatic events. It is believed that MDMA may help promote the effects of CBCT due to its ability to induce empathy and interpersonal openness. This randomized study is the second study designed to explore the efficacy of combining MDMA-assisted therapy with CBCT. This study will enroll 30 dyads, where one individual has symptoms of PTSD. Participants will undergo a 7-week psychotherapy course, in MDMA-assisted CBCT or CBCT alone. In the MDMA-assisted CBCT, participants will go through CBCT sessions, and two doses of MDMA will be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Participants assigned to the CBCT-only condition will go through CBCT sessions and will have the opportunity to crossover and receive the two MDMA sessions after follow-up. The primary goal of this research is to contribute to the literature on MDMA-assisted CBCT by investigating its feasibility, safety, acceptability, and effectiveness, and by comparing it to active PTSD treatments.