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Concentrated Exposure Therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder - a Cohort Study

Concentrated Exposure Therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder - a Cohort Study

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05598099
Enrollment
42
Registered
2022-10-28
Start date
2022-11-01
Completion date
2025-01-10
Last updated
2022-10-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

PTSD

Keywords

CBT, CAPS, Group therapy, Psychotherapy, Treatment satisfaction

Brief summary

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and disabling condition. Trauma-focused psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are among the recommended first-line treatment alternatives. However, a substantial proportion of patients decline, drop-out or do not respond to current psychotherapies. Previous research suggests that intensive or concentrated formats of trauma-focused psychotherapy can lead to faster recover and lower attrition, but there are currently few studies of these approaches. The current study will investigate the acceptability. treatment satisfaction and preliminary changes in symptoms after four consecutive days of concentrated CBT for PTSD.

Detailed description

The study will investigate the research questions in three stages. In the first stage four patients will be treated individually. In the second stage two groups of four patients will be treated, with at least a 1:1 ratio between therapists and patients per group. In the third stage 30 patients will be treated in groups of about four patients per group, with at least a 1:1 ratio between therapists and patients per group. The primary outcome measure is changes in PTSD-related symptoms as measured using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). Acceptability will be measured as the proportion of patients accepting treatment when offered, while attrition is measured as the proportion of patients that withdraw from treatment after it has started. Several other measures will be collected to measure treatment satisfaction, related symptoms, and functional impairment.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALConcentrated cognitive behavioral therapy

A psychological intervention consisting of psychoeducation and exposure therapy with the goal of changing the tolerability and negative interpretations of post-traumatic symptoms. The treatment is tailored to the individual patient through all stages, including relapse prevention and planning how to use treatment principles in daily life

Sponsors

University of Bergen
CollaboratorOTHER
Haukeland University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* fulfills DSM-5 criteria for PTSD * One or more single traumas in adolescence or adulthood * Speaks and writes Norwegian

Exclusion criteria

* New or unstable psychopharmacological treatment within last four weeks * fulfills ICD-11 criteria for complex PTSD * Ongoing substance abuse * Ongoing danger of suicide * Ongoing borderline personality disorder * Ongoing psychosis * Intellectual disability

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)Change in scores from before treatment to one week after treatmentClinician-administered interview to diagnose and the severity of PTSD

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire 8 (CSQ-8)One week after treatmentPatient-rated questionnaire of treatment satisfaction

Countries

Norway

Contacts

Primary ContactAnders L Thorsen, PhD
anders.lillevik.thorsen@helse-bergen.no90367617

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026