Mechanisms Underlying the Efficacy of Prolonged Exposure

Description

The primary objective of this research is to collect pilot data that demonstrates that proposed neural, psychophysiological and subjective markers measured before, during, and after treatment change over the course of Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of the study are to: (1) examine theoretically informed mechanisms as pre-treatment predictors of PE treatment efficacy, (2) characterize how neural, psychophysiological, and subjective markers measured before, during, and after treatment change over the course of PE, and (3) examine proposed mechanisms of change as measures of PE treatment efficacy. This is a longitudinal study of predictors of exposure therapy efficacy that will be conducted within the context of a standard 10 session PE treatment trial, with independent multimodal assessment batteries administered at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. This data will be used to support a future NIMH and/or VA grant submission.

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The primary objective of this research is to collect pilot data that demonstrates that proposed neural, psychophysiological and subjective markers measured before, during, and after treatment change over the course of Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of the study are to: (1) examine theoretically informed mechanisms as pre-treatment predictors of PE treatment efficacy, (2) characterize how neural, psychophysiological, and subjective markers measured before, during, and after treatment change over the course of PE, and (3) examine proposed mechanisms of change as measures of PE treatment efficacy. This is a longitudinal study of predictors of exposure therapy efficacy that will be conducted within the context of a standard 10 session PE treatment trial, with independent multimodal assessment batteries administered at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. This data will be used to support a future NIMH and/or VA grant submission.

Mechanisms Underlying the Efficacy of Prolonged Exposure

Mechanisms Underlying the Efficacy of Prolonged Exposure

Condition
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Boston

VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02116

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. a diagnosis of PTSD as defined by DSM-5 (as indicated by meeting diagnostic criteria on the CAPS-5)
  • 2. interest in starting PE (as indicated during the informed consent process)
  • 3. Veteran
  • 1. Current or past history of schizophrenic or other psychotic disorders,
  • 2. Untreated Bipolar Disorder or a history of a manic/mixed episode within the last 6 months,
  • 3. Severe traumatic brain injury,
  • 4. Major neurological problems,
  • 5. Current substance use disorder,
  • 6. Active risk to self or others,
  • 7. Current participation in cognitive-behavioral therapy,
  • 8. Previously received \> 2 sessions of Prolonged Exposure, and
  • 9. Having no memory of their traumatic event.
  • 10. For participants who are currently prescribed psychotropic medication, they will be eligible for the study provided medication use has been stable for 2 months prior to enrollment and remains stable throughout participation

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Boston Healthcare System,

Suzanne Pineles, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA

Study Record Dates

2027-01-01