Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation for Veterans With Comorbid TBI/PTSD
Traumatic Brain InjuryPosttraumatic Stress DisorderThe primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation (CABA), a new hybrid treatment for Veterans diagnosed with comorbid mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study's specific goals are to determine whether: 1) CABA reduces PTSD symptoms in Veterans with mTBI/PTSD, 2) CABA reduces cognitive-related functional impairment in Veterans with mTBI/PTSD, 3) CABA results in improvements in depression symptoms, cognitive functioning, and quality of life in Veterans with mTBI/PTSD; and 4) CABA is an acceptable treatment for Veterans with mTBI/PTSD. The overall goal is to develop an evidence-based manualized treatment for comorbid mTBI/PTSD that can be readily implemented in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) treatment settings.
Evaluation of a Rumination Intervention for Individuals With PTSD: A Case Series
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderRumination - ThoughtsAfter a traumatic event, it is common for thoughts to run through our minds over and over again. Typically, these include unanswerable questions like "why did this happen to me?", "what if I had done something differently?" Dwelling or ruminating on the past like this is often unhelpful and research has shown that it increases our chances of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating stress reaction. Once PTSD is in place, research shows that ruminating keeps the disorder going. It is unknown to what extent targeting rumination with an intervention to reduce its recurrence may help to alleviate PTSD symptoms. While rumination interventions using evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have shown highly promising results in depression and anxiety research, no previous study has evaluated a stand-alone rumination intervention for individuals with PTSD. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of a one-session online Rumination Intervention designed to reduce rumination in a small sample of 14 individuals who are currently awaiting treatment for PTSD in a British national mental health (NHS) service. The study will explore whether the Rumination Intervention reduces PTSD-related rumination, as well as PTSD and depression symptoms. It will also investigate how feasible and acceptable the intervention is for participants. If the findings are promising, the intervention could be tested in a larger clinical study in the future. Results may help inform online interventions for PTSD.
A Mobile Health Solution for Homework During CBT
AnxietyDepression1 moreThe purpose of this study is to preliminarily evaluate a web-based app to improve provider implementation and patient engagement in homework (i.e., between-session practice of skills learned during therapy) during child mental health treatment by conducting a small-scale feasibility trial in community practice settings comparing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to CBT enhanced with the app.
Interest of Cardiac Coherence in the Prevention of Chronic Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Pilot...
Post-traumatic Stress DisorderThThe aim of this study is to determinate the potential benefits of a respiratory training program (cardiac coherence, CC) in patients suffering from acute stress disorder, after a potentially traumatic event. Using this method is supposed to prevent the onset of chronic post traumatic stress disorder after 3 months. This pilot study will help to determinate the need of developing this kind of complementary and alternative program, and will also provide knowledge about the feasibiility and acceptability of this program for the patients.
The Effects of the Safe and Sound Protocol on PTSD Symptoms and Anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderAnxietyThe Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a passive acoustic intervention that is designed as a "neural exercise" to promote efficient regulation of autonomic state. Prior research has shown that the SSP can improve autonomic function, auditory hypersensitivities, and emotion regulation in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This observational pilot study is being conducted to establish methods for an upcoming randomized controlled trial to test the utility of the SSP for trauma treatment. This study will enroll clients at the Spencer Psychology clinic who are set to take part in SSP under the supervision of their therapist. Because the therapists have participated in the design of the protocol and will participate in data collection and analysis, SSP will be considered a research procedure. In addition to taking part in SSP, subjects complete a set of questionnaires and have their pulse measured before starting the SSP intervention, after having completed 2/5 hours of the SSP, one week after completing all 5 hours of the SSP, and one month after completing the SSP intervention. The investigators will also pull relevant information from Spencer Psychology's medical records to document diagnosis, track client progress during study, and augment self-reported demographics. Clients who are receiving psychotherapy but not the SSP will be recruited as a comparison group.
Efficacy of Evidence-Based PTSD Treatment Via Prebiotic Supplementation
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder, which results from exposure to traumatic events. Veterans are more than twice as likely to suffer from PTSD compared to civilians. Current interventions for the treatment of PTSD are evidence-based psychotherapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Therefore, we plan to compare Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) with and without a novel prebiotic bar designed to beneficially modulate the microbiota to determine the utility of this combined approach to positively impact PTSD symptoms. We will conduct a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-sectional trial in 78 veterans with PTSD. Participants will be randomized to receive CPT + prebiotic or CPT + placebo. They will be provided a supply of prebiotic or non prebiotic bars for 12 weeks. At three different time points, participants will complete questionnaires and complete questionnaires and produce a stool sample ( weeks 1,2, and 12). All participants will be recruited from the two-week in-person Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the Rush Road Home Program, where they will be receiving CPT.
Sustaining and Improving Clinicians' Use of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderThe purpose of the study is to compare the impact of two strategies to sustain and improve the delivery of an evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in three different mental health systems. These approaches are based on two different theories of what is necessary to promote successful implementation. We will examine whether these strategies lead to improved patient outcomes, clinician skill, proportion of clients who receive CPT, and other outcomes that are relevant to the implementation of evidence-based psychosocial treatments. By examining these questions in 3 different mental health systems, we will also examine whether the implementation strategies yield different results in different systems.
Testing a Causal Model of Cognitive Control Deficits in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSDTesting a Causal Model of Cognitive Control Deficits in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The Effect of a Combined Nature-based and Virtual Mindfulness Intervention on Perceived Stress in...
StressPsychological6 moreRationale: Healthcare workers that care for patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for stress-related symptoms. When these symptoms are chronic, they can result in burnout and other mental health conditions that can exacerbate the current national health crisis. Social distancing can limit the accessibility of mental health services. Feasible and effective interventions are needed to reduce stress-related symptoms and promote resilience in this population, while adhering to federal and local guidelines to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Objectives: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a combined nature-based and virtual mindfulness intervention on stress-related symptoms and psychological resilience in healthcare workers that care for patients with COVID-19. Both components are reported to reduce levels of perceived stress and increase psychological resilience; however, the potential additive effect of their combined delivery is unknown. Methods: Ninety healthcare workers will be randomized into one of three groups: Nature+Mindfulness (n=30), Nature only (n=30), and Control (n=30). All participants will undergo assessments at baseline (week 0), post nature intervention (~week 1), and post mindfulness intervention (~week 3). The two intervention groups will have one final assessment at 2-month follow-up (~week 11). Perceived stress is the primary endpoint and will be assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale. Secondary endpoints include sleep quality, burnout, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, self-efficacy, and psycho-social-spiritual healing. Anticipated Results: We anticipate that participants in the Nature+Mindfulness group will have greater reductions in stress-related symptoms and greater increases in psychological resilience compared with the Nature only and Control groups.
AWARENESS Trial (AWARENESS) of Storytelling Through Music in Healthcare Workers
StressPost Traumatic Stress Disorder1 moreThis research study is examining the feasibility and effectiveness of an online version of the Storytelling Through Music (STM) program with oncology nurses who have worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.