Telehealth-Massed Imaginal Exposure for PTSD

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Status

Withdrawn

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments

Behavioral: VVC-delivered Massed Imaginal Exposure

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT05450224

Pro00106523

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to establish the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of very brief imaginal exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) delivered by telehealth over the course of six-daily 60-minute sessions within a 10-day window. All study visits occur remotely, by telehealth. You will be asked to complete a pre-treatment assessment involving a clinical interview, video-based measures of emotional and physical reactions, such as heart rate and breathing rate, and self-report questionnaires to measure the severity and impact of trauma-related symptoms. These assessments are completed again 1-week, and 1-month after completing treatment. The researchers propose that massed exposure-based therapy delivered via telehealth will advance telemental health treatment options and personalized care for Veterans with PTSD.

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 65 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-65.
Ability to speak, read, and write English.
Diagnosis of PTSD based on CAPS-5 (> 3 mo. post-trauma).
Seeking treatment for PTSD at the Charleston VA.
Willingness and ability to engage in assessment and treatment visits through VVC, or another VA-approved telehealth videoconferencing platform.

Exclusion criteria

Currently receiving psychotherapy for another anxiety- or stress-related condition.
Current substance use disorder diagnosis with repeated abuse or dependence within 3 months of study entry and unwillingness to abstain for 24 hours prior to study visits.
Unstable dose of psychotropic medications within 6 weeks prior to baseline assessment (based on the DMSC; see measures).
Medical condition that would contraindicate participation in treatment or assessment activities (e.g., severe cardiovascular problems; DMSC, and chart review; see measures).
Current, or history of bipolar I disorder
Current, or history of psychotic symptoms
Serious suicidal risk or a suicide attempt in the past year, as determined by self-report (PHQ-9) and clinical interview (C-SSRS; see measures).
Active neurological conditions, e.g., seizures, stroke, loss of consciousness or concussion (DMSC, and chart review; see measures)