Written Exposure Therapy to Improve Recovery Among Sexual Assault Survivors
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Written Exposure Therapy
- Conditions
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Enrollment
- 30
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Retention Rates
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- last month
Overview
Brief Summary
The main objective of this pilot trial is to determine the feasibility and initial efficacy of telehealth-delivered written exposure therapy to reduce the development of posttraumatic stress disorder after sexual assault. This pilot trial will provide the data necessary to design and support a large-scale trial.
Detailed Description
Each year, approximately 100,000 women in the United States present to sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs for evaluation after experiencing sexual assault. A wealth of data demonstrates that the development of adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in this population and that individuals with a history of traumatic stress exposure and/or posttraumatic stress symptoms are at increased risk. Unfortunately, no secondary preventive interventions are currently widely available that can prevent PTSD among those at high risk. Moreover, the 10% of sexual assault survivors in the United States who live in rural communities face even greater barriers to obtaining care. Written exposure therapy is an evidence-based, low-cost intervention that has demonstrated efficacy in treating chronic PTSD symptoms after a variety of traumatic stress exposures, including sexual assault. In addition, telehealth delivery of written exposure therapy for PTSD has yielded similar treatment outcomes and lower attrition compared to in-person delivery. The present protocol will assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of telehealth-delivered written exposure therapy as a secondary preventive intervention for sexual assault survivors in the acute aftermath of trauma exposure. This pilot trial will randomize N=80 women who received SANE care following sexual assault to five sessions of either virtual written exposure therapy (n=40) or virtual unemotional writing control (n=40). The same experienced therapists will deliver both interventions via telehealth/video sessions. Participant follow-ups will be performed remotely via REDCap self-report surveys by trained assessors and research associates. Results of this trial will demonstrate the feasibility and potential efficacy of written exposure therapy to reduce the development of PTSD after sexual assault and will provide the data necessary to design and support a large-scale trial.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Cisgender woman
- •Writes and speaks English
- •18+ years of age
- •Presents for SANE care within 7 days of sexual assault
- •Discharged home after SANE care
- •Has an email address
- •Has an Apple (iOS) or Android-compatible smartphone with photo capability (for writing session upload), without loss of cellular connection due to inability to pay bill for \>1 year
- •Willing to participate in remote therapy sessions
- •Meets PTSD risk score criteria
- •Meets with research assistant (RA) for informed consent within 30 days of SANE care
Exclusion Criteria
- •Incarcerated or in police custody
- •Presented for SANE care \>7 days after assault
- •Has had a change in psychiatric medication regimen 1 month prior to study enrollment
- •Currently receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy or exposure-based psychological treatment
- •Sexually assaulted at work or by a colleague
- •Currently lives with the person who assaulted them
- •History or condition that in investigator's judgment would likely make a participant non-compliant/unsuitable for participation, including deafness or blindness
Arms & Interventions
Written Exposure Therapy
Five sessions of remotely-delivered written exposure therapy.
Intervention: Written Exposure Therapy
Unemotional Writing
Five sessions of remotely-delivered non-emotional writing.
Intervention: Unemotional Writing
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Retention Rates
Time Frame: Month 5
To assess feasibility of the study protocol, the proportion of participants who complete the study protocol, according to study arm and in total, will be calculated.
Recruitment Rates
Time Frame: Baseline
To assess feasibility of the study recruitment protocol, the proportion of eligible participants who enroll in the study and are randomized will be calculated.
Changes in PTSD Symptom Severity Over Time
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, Month 3, Month 5
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a 20-item self-report measure designed to assess PTSD symptoms as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5). Each item of the PCL-5 is scored on a five-point scale ranging from 0 ("not at all") to 4 ("extremely"). Items are summed to provide a total severity score (range = 0-80), with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. PTSD symptom severity will be compared between treatment groups over time.
Treatment Completion Rates
Time Frame: Week 8
To assess feasibility of the treatment protocol, treatment completion rates will be calculated according to study arm and in total. Treatment completers will be defined as participants who complete at least 4 out of 5 written exposure therapy or control sessions.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Pain Symptom Severity and Extent Over Time(Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, Month 3, Month 5)
- Change in Somatic Symptom Score Over Time(Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, Month 3, Month 5)
- Change in Depressive Symptom Score Over Time(Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, Month 3, Month 5)