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IRT and CBT in Sexual Assault Victims With PTSD

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Interventions
Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD
Behavioral: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy
Registration Number
NCT03169712
Lead Sponsor
Laval University
Brief Summary

Sexual assault victims (SAV) have an elevated risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective first-line treatment for this pathology. However, although sleep disturbances are a common complaint in SAV with PTSD, trauma-focused CBT does not directly address this symptom. Posttraumatic nightmares are widespread among SAV. Trauma-related sleep disturbances are associated with significant impairment in general functioning and quality of life (mental and physical health), and contribute to the maintenance of PTSD symptoms. This study evaluates the efficacy of sequential nightmare therapy (imagery rehearsal therapy; IRT) and trauma-focused CBT, in comparison to CBT alone. Forty-two SAV suffering from PTSD and sleep difficulties were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental (IRT+CBT) or control condition (waiting period followed by CBT alone). Participants were administered a clinical interview and a series of questionnaires assessing PTSD symptoms, general functioning and quality of life.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
42
Inclusion Criteria
  • over 18 years of age;
  • able to understand and speak French;
  • history of unwanted sexual experience;
  • PTSD diagnosis according to DSM-IV-TR;
  • sleep complaints, as established by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ≥ 5 and a mean of one or more NM per week for at least one month;
  • if psychotropic medication was used, (antidepressant, antianxiety, antipsychotic or hypnotic medication) stable for a minimum of three months;
  • available for in-person assessments and therapy sessions.
Exclusion Criteria
  • past or present psychotic episode, bipolar disorder or organic mental disorder (e.g. dementia);
  • substance use disorder;
  • sleep apnea diagnosis;
  • use of prazosine to treat nightmares;
  • presently in treatment for psychological difficulties;
  • significant suicidal thoughts requiring immediate intervention.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy + CBT for PTSDCognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD5 sessions of IRT + 15 sessions of trauma-focused CBT
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy + CBT for PTSDImagery Rehearsal Therapy5 sessions of IRT + 15 sessions of trauma-focused CBT
CBT for PTSDCognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD15 sessions of trauma-focused CBT
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total scorePre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Change in Modified PTSD Symptom Scale - Self Report total scorePre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - Addendum for PTSD total scorePre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Change in Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey subscale scoresPre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Change in Nightmare Distress Questionnaire total scorePre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Change in Working Alliance Inventory subscale scoresPre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Change in World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule total and subscale scoresPre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Change in Beliefs About Psychological Service total scorePre-Treatment; Post-Treatment 1 (5 weeks after pre-treatment); Post-Treatment 2 (20 weeks after pre-treatment); 3-month FU; 6-month FU; 12-month FU

Self-report questionnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Service de Consultation de l'École de Psychologie

🇨🇦

Québec, Quebec, Canada

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