Peer support during in vivo exposure homework to reverse attrition from prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): description of a randomized controlled trial

Trials

Melba A. Hernandez-Tejada¹  Ron Acierno¹  Matthew Price¹  Edna Foa²  Wendy Muzzy³  Stephanie Hamski⁴  Stephanie Hart⁴ 

[1] Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Trauma and Resilience Center, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth;Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine;Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing;Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center;

关键词: Peer support;    Veterans;    PTSD;    Dropout;    Prolonged exposure therapy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13063-020-04302-5

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (e.g., prolonged exposure (PE); cognitive processing therapy (CPT)) exist and are widely adopted by the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD). Unfortunately, dropout from these treatments regularly exceeds 30%. However, in a recent survey of patients who dropped out of PE, approximately half indicated a greater likelihood of completion if a peer who had completed treatment were available to help with the in vivo exposure homework. Methods We will use a between-groups randomized controlled design with repeated assessment at baseline, post treatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up across measures of PTSD, depression, and functioning with 150 veterans who have indicated that they intend to drop out of treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two PE + Peer Support conditions: (1) a peer will offer support directly during in vivo exposure homework for 3–4 weeks; vs (2) a peer will call weekly for 3–4 weeks to offer general support and to check in on treatment progress. Discussion The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that dropout from exposure-based PTSD treatment may be mitigated by using peers as support agents directly during PE in vivo homework experiences. Specifically, we intend to determine: whether patients who have dropped out of PE and are offered the “in vivo peer” adjunctive component to PE therapy will (1) return and complete treatment and (2) evince reduced PTSD symptomatology, compared to the same PE treatment, but with general peer support more reflective of current VA practices. Trial registration This study protocol is approved and information is available at ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03485391 . Registered on 2 April 2018.

【 授权许可】

Unknown