Stabilizing Group Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress DisorderDissociative Identity DisorderDissociative Disorder
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Conventional individual treatmentBehavioral: Stabilizing group treatment for PTSDBehavioral: Stabilizing group treatment for Dissociative disorders
- Registration Number
- NCT02450617
- Lead Sponsor
- Modum Bad
- Brief Summary
The research project outlined in this proposal aims to investigate the effectiveness of stabilizing group treatment as an add-on to conventional treatment, for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or dissociative disorders after childhood abuse. The investigators also aim to study psychophysiological markers associated with complex trauma and treatment, mechanisms of change involved in treatment, and which patient characteristics that predict positive outcome.
- Detailed Description
Patients with histories of repeated traumatization in childhood often display a wide array of symptoms described as complex traumatic stress disorder. This sequela involves a high degree of comorbid mental and somatic disturbances, and entails tremendous health care costs for society and suffering for the victims. Despite the prevalence and consequences of complex trauma, research on effective treatments is extremely limited. Expert clinicians suggest that initial treatment for these patients should focus on stabilization of symptoms through psychoeducation and skills - training, and some research has supported this advice. Offering such treatment as group therapy can be both cost - effective and give patients additional peer-support. The research project outlined in this proposal aims to investigate the effectiveness of stabilizing group treatment as an add-on to conventional treatment, for patients with PTSD or dissociative disorders after childhood abuse. This will be investigated in a randomized controlled design. The investigators also aim to discover psychophysiological markers associated with treatment, mechanisms of change involved in treatment, and what patient characteristics that predict outcome. The results may contribute to new knowledge about treatment of complex traumatization, as well as new and improved health services for a vulnerable patient group with little specialized treatment today.
The main aim of this project is to compare the effectiveness of stabilizing group treatment as an add-on to conventional individual therapy, to conventional individual therapy alone, in a randomized controlled design. This will be tested in two independent diagnostic groups: Patients with PTSD and patients with Dissociative disorders, both groups with reports of childhood abuse. The investigators will further investigate how level of dissociative symptoms influence treatment, how group climate influence symptoms, the relationship between individual and group therapy in combined treatment, and how treatment affects Heart Rate Variability. The investigators also seek to evaluate the treatment economically with a societal perspective, carrying out cost-utility analyses.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 158
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Conventional Individual treatment - PTSD Conventional individual treatment Conventional individual treatment. Conventional Individual treatment - Dissociative disorders Conventional individual treatment Conventional individual treatment. Stabilizing group treatment for Dissociative disorders Conventional individual treatment Group treatment, 20 sessions psychoeducation and skills-training. In combination with conventional individual treatment. Stabilizing group treatment for PTSD Conventional individual treatment Group treatment, 20 sessions psychoeducation and skills-training. In combination with conventional individual treatment. Stabilizing group treatment for PTSD Stabilizing group treatment for PTSD Group treatment, 20 sessions psychoeducation and skills-training. In combination with conventional individual treatment. Stabilizing group treatment for Dissociative disorders Stabilizing group treatment for Dissociative disorders Group treatment, 20 sessions psychoeducation and skills-training. In combination with conventional individual treatment.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Global Assessment of Functioning - change from baseline 1 week after completed treatment Daily life functioning and severity of symptoms last week, assessed by interview
Global Assessment of Functioning- change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment Daily life functioning and severity of symptoms last week, assessed by interview
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Heart rate variability- change from baseline 1 week after completed treatment Resting state heart rate variability
PTSD Symptom Scale - Self-Report - change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment Short Form 36 - change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment Symptom Checklist 90 Revised - change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment Inventory of Interpersonal Problems - change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment Dissociative Experiences Scale II - change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment Behavior Checklist - change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment registers function and self-destructive behavior
Heart rate variability - change from baseline 6 months after completed treatment Resting state heart rate variability
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Traumepoliklinikken, Modum Bad i Oslo
🇳🇴Oslo, Norway