Effects of an Internet-based Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Exposure for PTSD with cognitive restructuringBehavioral: Exposure for PTSD without cognitive restructuring
- Registration Number
- NCT01508377
- Lead Sponsor
- Berlin Center for the Treatment of Torture Victims
- Brief Summary
For several years now, a very successful treatment of posttraumatic stress disorders has been offered in the Netherlands and in Germany. The contact between clients and therapists takes place exclusively via Internet. The therapists follow a scientifically tested treatment protocol, that defines fixed treatment elements that are adapted to the specific situation of the client. The participants can write at home, in their familiar environment which makes it easier to work on trauma related issues with their therapist. In the last years the treatment was offered in Arabic as well indicating to be an effective treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Arabic-speaking countries.
The treatment lasts five weeks. During that time-frame, participants write several texts. The participants decide when they want to write. Each time after having received two texts, the therapists provide feedback and further instructions. The therapists are all trained psychologists, who have received additional training in the interpretation of texts and for the application of the treatment protocol.
The investigators hypothesize that both interventions will significantly improve clinical symptoms of PTSD. Furthermore, the investigators expect improvements in secondary outcomes such as anxiety, depression and quality of life.
- Detailed Description
Background:
For several years now, a very successful treatment of posttraumatic stress disorders has been offered in the Netherlands and in Germany. The contact between clients and therapists takes place exclusively via Internet. The therapists follow a scientifically tested treatment protocol, that defines fixed treatment elements that are adapted to the specific situation of the client. The participants can write at home, in their familiar environment which makes it easier to work on trauma related issues with their therapist. In the last years the treatment was offered in Arabic as well indicating to be an effective treatment for PTSD in Arabic-speaking countries.
Method:
Traumatized Arabic-speaking participants are allocated at random to a long version (10 sessions) of a manualized writing approach over 6 weeks or to a short version, where the part concerning the cognitive restructuring is excluded. The investigators expect the treatment to be useful for traumatized clients, especially for those who have no access to psychological help otherwise and they hypothesize that both interventions will significantly improve clinical symptoms of PTSD. Furthermore, the investigators expect improvements in secondary outcomes such as anxiety, depression and quality of life. Additionally the investigators are interested, if the short form where the cognitive part is excluded and the focus will be more on confrontation is effective similarly.
Conclusion:
If the interventions prove to be an effective treatment for PTSD in Arabic-speaking countries, the results will lend to support to the establishment of internet-based approaches, especially in countries, where face-to-face therapy cannot be provided. Furthermore a shorter treatment could improve the compliance of the participants, particularly in post-conflict regions where people cannot attend long therapeutic interventions.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 293
- traumatic experience
- must suffer from posttraumatic stress
- must be fluent in written Arabic
- must have access to the Internet during the treatment
- suicidal intentions
- substance abuse
- psychotic experience
- dissociation
- currently receiving psychotherapy elsewhere
- pregnancy
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Treatment of PTSD with cognitive restructuring Exposure for PTSD with cognitive restructuring In this arm the PTSD treatment can be divided into three phases. First phase: self-confrontation (4 essays) Second phase: cognitive restructuring (4 essays) Third phase: parting (2 essays) Treatment of PTSD without cognitive restructuring Exposure for PTSD without cognitive restructuring In this arm the PTSD treatment can be divided into only two phases. Compared to the other arm the phase dealing with cognitive restructuring is excluded. First phase: self-confrontation (4 essays) Second phase: parting (2 essays)
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in posttraumatic stress baseline, post-treatment (1 day after the treatment), 3-months-follow-up (3 months after the treatment) Change in Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale from baseline to post-treatment and 3-months-follow-up
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in anxiety baseline, post-treatment (1 day after the treatment), 3-months-follow-up (3 months after the treatment) Change in Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 from baseline to post-treatment and 3-months-follow-up
Change in quality of life baseline, post-treatment (1 day after the treatment), 3-months-follow-up (3 months after the treatment) Change in EUROHIS-QOL from baseline to post-treatment and from post-treatment to 3-months-follow-up
Change in depression baseline, post-treatment (1 day after the treatment), 3-months-follow-up (3 months after the treatment) Change in Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 from baseline to post-treatment and 3-months-follow-up
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Treatment Center for Torture Victims Berlin/Freie Universität Berlin
🇩🇪Berlin, Germany