Evaluation of Web-Based CBT for Rape Victims

University of North Carolina System

Status: Completed

Conditions: PTSD

Treatments: Behavioral: Psycho-educational website; Behavioral: Online intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02777294

1R34MH085118-01A2

Details and patient eligibility

About

Rape is unfortunately a common experience among women, affecting between 13 and 20%. In addition, up to 50% of all rape victims experience significant and persistent psychological distress. While cognitive-behavioral interventions have been found to be successful at alleviating distress among victims; the majority do not seek out these services, often because of feelings of stigma and self-blame. One potential method for circumventing these barriers is through online administered treatment. Thus, the current project is designed to conduct an initial evaluation of a 12 to 16-week, therapist-facilitated, multi-media, cognitive-behavioral, online intervention tailored specifically for rape victims. The effectiveness of this program at ameliorating distress among college women who have experienced rape and have current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was evaluated. Reductions in psychological distress was the primary outcome and was assessed at post-intervention and at three and six month follow-up periods. The effectiveness of the intervention was compared to a psycho-educational website.

Enrollment: 87 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Current rape-related PTSD
• Regular access to a computer
• English language literacy
• Experience of completed rape at age 14 years or older

Exclusion criteria

• No current PTSD
• Current psychotherapy
• Lack of stability on psychotropic medication (< 3 months)
• Lack of literacy in English
• Current substance dependence
• Current elevated suicidality
• Severe acute distress
• No experience of completed rape after age 14

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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87 participants in 2 patient groups

Online intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Therapist-facilitated, cognitive behavioral therapy

Treatment:

Behavioral: Online intervention

Psycho-educational website

Active Comparator group

Description:

Self-help, psycho-educational website

Treatment:

Behavioral: Psycho-educational website