None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Emergency service personnel are exposed to major stressors in the line of their work. They are at elevated risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with approximately 10% of police suffering the condition. The nature and pattern of trauma exposure amongst Emergency service personnel is different to those experienced by other populations. They suffer repeated exposure to trauma, may witness individuals who have been badly hurt, directly threatened themselves or be required to seriously wound others. Hence, their response to trauma is often anger and guilt, rather than the fear often described by members of the general population exposed to one off, trauma. There is currently limited evidence of optimal treatment of PTSD in emergency service personnel. In the absence of evidence, there is a critical need for controlled trials of optimal interventions to assist emergency service personnel with PTSD. This study conducts a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy for (CBT) in emergency service personnel to determine the optimal means to enhance treatment response.. This study will provide the much-needed evidence to shape policy and practice. Emergency service personnel with PTSD will be randomized to receive either 12 sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy delivered by clinical psychologists Treatment is based on 12 weekly 1-hour sessions. Emergency service personnel will be randomised to either CBT, which involves focusing on reliving trauma memories, as well as teaching strategies to reframe common maladaptive appraisals. Alternately, emergency service personnel will be randomised to a modified version of CBT that will also include depression treatment strategies. Participants will be assessed prior to treatment, immediately following treatment, and again 6 months later. These data will provide much-needed evidence for treating Emergency service personnel and provide police, fire-fighting, and ambulance services direction on how to limit PTSD in their organisations.
Interventions
There are two arms to this trial. Arm 1: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Arm 2: Modified Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MCBT). CBT is administered by Clinical Psychologists once-weekly over 12 weeks on an individual 60 minute basis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy includes psychoeducation, exposure to trauma memories, and cognitive restructuring of themes related to traumatic experiences. The duration of the study for any participant will conclude after a 6-month follow-up assessment, resulting in
There are two arms to this trial. Arm 1: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Arm 2: Modified Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MCBT). CBT is administered by Clinical Psychologists once-weekly over 12 weeks on an individual 60 minute basis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy includes psychoeducation, exposure to trauma memories, and cognitive restructuring of themes related to traumatic experiences. The duration of the study for any participant will conclude after a 6-month follow-up assessment, resulting in participation duration of 9 months.
Sponsors
University of New South Wales
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Emergency service personnel who meet the DSM-5 criteria diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (as measured on the PTSD Clinician Administered Scale), including (a) exposure to a trauma events, (b) re-experiencing, (c) avoidance, (d) alterations in mood and cognition, and (e) arousal..
Exclusion criteria
(a) inadequate comprehension of English, (b) imminent suicidal intent, or (c) psychosis
Outcome results
None listed