Abstract
BackgroundAlthough existing treatment methods are effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms, several barriers to care exist, such as waiting times, avoidant tendencies, shame and stigma, potentially leading to fewer people seeking therapy or premature dropouts. A potential solution to battling these barriers is Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT), a single-session exposure-oriented intervention for PTSD. Although not yet subjected to empirical investigation, clinical experiences suggest an often immediate and long-lasting effect following the intervention related to patient’s symptomatology and functional abilities.MethodsThe current study protocol outlines a plan to conduct the first non-inferiority randomized controlled trial aimed to explore the efficacy of BWRT compared to treatment as usual (TAU), operationalized as any evidence-based trauma treatment method administered in Norwegian out-patient clinics. Eighty-two participants will be allocated at a 1:1 ratio to one of the following treatment conditions: (1) BWRT or (2) treatment as usual. Participants will be compared on several variables, including changes in PTSD symptoms (primary objective), and changes in perceived quality of life, rumination, functional and cognitive ability (secondary objective). Data collection will take place baseline (T1), within three weeks post treatment (T2) and at 6-month follow-up (T3).DiscussionShould BWRT prove to be non-inferior to treatment as usual, this brief intervention may be an important contribution to future psychological treatment for PTSD, by making trauma treatment more accessible and battling current barriers to care.Trial registration191548, 24.05.2021. ClinicalTrials.gov PRS: Release Confirmation
Highlights
Background and rationale {6a} Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts and re-experiencing, avoidance of trauma-related reminders, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and marked alterations in arousal and reactivity [1]
Treatment methods for PTSD Several treatment methods have been developed for PTSD, with strong empirical evidence supporting their effectiveness in reducing symptoms
If our results indicate that participants experience alleviation of trauma symptoms following the Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT) intervention, despite showing inferiority to treatment as usual (TAU), BWRT might still hold the potential to function as a first line treatment
Summary
Background and rationale {6a} Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts and re-experiencing, avoidance of trauma-related reminders, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and marked alterations in arousal and reactivity [1]. Large parts of the population will be exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event over the course of their lifetime [3], with the majority experiencing a pattern of acute traumatic reactions, followed by a path of natural recovery [4]. The cross-national lifetime prevalence of PTSD has been estimated to 3.9% in the general population, and 5.6% among those exposed to a potentially traumatic event. Existing treatment methods are effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms, several barriers to care exist, such as waiting times, avoidant tendencies, shame and stigma, potentially leading to fewer people seeking therapy or premature dropouts. A potential solution to battling these barriers is Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT), a single-session exposure-oriented intervention for PTSD. Not yet subjected to empirical investigation, clinical experiences suggest an often immediate and long-lasting effect following the intervention related to patient’s symptomatology and functional abilities
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