Web-administered STAIR for Patients on Behavioral Health Waitlists

Description

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant public health challenge with population prevalence rates in the US between 6.1 to 9.2%. There are large racial and socioeconomic inequities in access to PTSD treatment, as up to half (30-50%) of patients in safety net clinical settings meet criteria for PTSD, yet only 13% receive any behavioral health treatment. Workforce shortages are one major barrier to accessing care. Additional barriers to care can include heightened mental health stigma and mistrust of health services. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may be suitable within the continuum of care for PTSD in hospital settings, given their potential for rapid-access, scalability, and the high acceptability of DMHI among individuals with high stigma and social needs. Among the available DMHIs for PTSD, the investigators have selected web-administered Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (webSTAIR), based on emerging scientific evidence and a close collaboration with Boston Medical Center (BMC) users (patients and providers) in a previous pilot study in primary care. The aim of this randomized study is to implement webSTAIR at BMC in the Recovery from Stress and Trauma through Outpatient Care, Research, and Education (RESTORE) Center's subspecialty clinic.

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant public health challenge with population prevalence rates in the US between 6.1 to 9.2%. There are large racial and socioeconomic inequities in access to PTSD treatment, as up to half (30-50%) of patients in safety net clinical settings meet criteria for PTSD, yet only 13% receive any behavioral health treatment. Workforce shortages are one major barrier to accessing care. Additional barriers to care can include heightened mental health stigma and mistrust of health services. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may be suitable within the continuum of care for PTSD in hospital settings, given their potential for rapid-access, scalability, and the high acceptability of DMHI among individuals with high stigma and social needs. Among the available DMHIs for PTSD, the investigators have selected web-administered Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (webSTAIR), based on emerging scientific evidence and a close collaboration with Boston Medical Center (BMC) users (patients and providers) in a previous pilot study in primary care. The aim of this randomized study is to implement webSTAIR at BMC in the Recovery from Stress and Trauma through Outpatient Care, Research, and Education (RESTORE) Center's subspecialty clinic.

The Feasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Effectiveness of Web-administered Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (webSTAIR) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for Patients on Behavioral Health Waitlists

Web-administered STAIR for Patients on Behavioral Health Waitlists

Condition
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Boston

Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02118

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

  • * Client on the RESTORE Center waitlist at Boston Medical Center
  • * Over 18 years of age
  • * Able to receive therapy in English or Spanish (per participant report)
  • * Exposure to trauma (as indicated by the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5 \[LEC-5\])
  • * Probable PTSD (as indicated by the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 \[PCL-5\] based on PCL score of 33+).
  • * Reasonable to access to technology (e.g., phone, computer, internet access).
  • * Patient declines to be in the study.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Boston Medical Center,

Sarah Valentine, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Boston Medical Center, Psychiatry Department

Study Record Dates

2025-12