A Feasibility Study of Internet Delivered Prolonged Exposure

Karolinska Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Internet delivered prolonged exposure

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05560854

2022-03465-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary objective with this study is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of ten weeks of internet delivered prolonged exposure delivered through a digital platform with therapist support. The secondary objective is to investigate preliminary effects of internet delivered prolonged exposure in terms of reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression and increase quality of life.

Full description

The investigators will investigate internet delivered prolonged exposure delivered as a ten-week treatment comprising of six modules (psychoeducation/rational, in vivo exposure, imaginal exposure, common problems during exposure, hot spots and relapse prevention). The feasibility and acceptability and preliminary effects of treatment- and assessment procedures will be evaluated using a within-group design with repeated measurements and qualitative interviews. Recruitment is designed to be broadly inclusive with minimal exclusion criteria. Patients will be recruited from a psychiatric clinic specialized in PTSD in Stockholm, Sweden and by advertisements in newspapers and social media.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Currently primary diagnosis PTSD according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD
• ≥ 18 years
• Fluent in Swedish
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• PTSD is not the primary concern
• Initiation or adjustment of any psychotropic medication within the last 4 weeks prior to commencement of treatment
• Ongoing substance dependence
• Current suicide risk meriting crisis intervention
• Psychotic disorder
• Ongoing trauma-focused psychological treatment
• Ongoing trauma-related threat (e.g. living with a violent spouse)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 1 patient group

Internet delivered prolonged exposure

Experimental group

Description:

Internet delivered prolonged exposure for ten weeks with therapist support.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Internet delivered prolonged exposure