Group Therapies for PTSD

Overseen By Dawson Church

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: Soul Medicine Institute

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 8-12 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how group therapy can reduce symptoms of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) and related mental health issues. It tests two types of therapy: CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy), which involves discussing thoughts and behaviors, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), which combines talking with tapping on specific body points. Participants will join one of three groups: a waitlist group, a CBT group, or an EFT group. The trial seeks physically healthy active duty military members, veterans, and their family members who can read, write, and understand English. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how these therapies work in people, offering participants a chance to contribute to groundbreaking mental health treatment development.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that both Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) safely treat PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). Studies have found CBT to be a reliable and effective method for treating PTSD, with strong evidence supporting its safety for both short-term and long-term use.

EFT is also considered safe. Many studies highlight its effectiveness and safety for treating PTSD. The U.S. Veterans Administration recognizes EFT as a generally safe therapy. Research indicates that patients often continue with EFT treatment, showing high attendance and low dropout rates.

In summary, both CBT and EFT have good safety records based on past research. Although this specific trial is just beginning, previous studies provide reassurance about the safety of these therapies for people with PTSD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about these therapies for PTSD because they offer unique approaches to treatment. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is already a well-established method that helps patients by changing negative thought patterns. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), on the other hand, add a novel twist by combining psychological acupressure with cognitive restructuring. This blend of tapping on specific points on the body while addressing emotional issues is believed to reduce stress and anxiety quickly. Unlike traditional therapies that can take weeks to show results, EFT might offer faster relief, making it a promising addition to PTSD treatment options.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for PTSD?

This trial will compare the effectiveness of CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) for treating PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Research has shown that both therapies can help treat PTSD. Participants in this trial may receive CBT, which studies have found reduces PTSD symptoms in both the short and long term and also helps with related issues like depression and anxiety. Alternatively, participants may receive EFT, which uses a method called "tapping" and has been shown to lower PTSD symptoms by calming the brain. Both therapies effectively reduce stress and emotional distress, making them promising options for people with PTSD. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dawson Church, PhD

Principal Investigator

Soul Medicine Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for active duty military personnel, veterans, and their family members who can follow instructions, complete forms, and provide informed consent. Participants must be literate in English and physically healthy.

Inclusion Criteria

The ability to follow instructions, complete written forms, and provide informed consent. Subjects are required to be literate and understand English.

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive group therapy sessions using EFT and CBT

8-12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 months

Follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy)
• EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

Trial Overview The study compares the effectiveness of group therapies using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans and their families.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

EFT group therapy sessions.

Group II: Wait List Active Control 1 Intervention

Wait Period corresponding in length to treatment period

Group III: CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) Active Control 1 Intervention

CBT group therapy sessions

CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Schizophrenia

Approved in United States as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism
• Personality disorders

Approved in Canada as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Schizophrenia

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Soul Medicine Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

12

Recruited

650+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 81 participants at EFT workshops, significant reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms were observed, indicating that Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can effectively alleviate psychological distress.

Participants maintained their improvements for six months after treatment, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of EFT, with a moderate treatment effect size for PTSD (Cohen's d = 0.54).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Borrowing Benefits: Group Treatment With Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Is Associated With Simultaneous Reductions in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms. Church, D., House, D.[2019]

This clinical trial will assess the effectiveness of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) in treating PTSD in 120 patients, comparing it to written exposure therapy (WET) and a waitlist control group over a 5-week treatment period.

The primary goal is to measure changes in PTSD symptoms using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale after treatment, which will help clarify the efficacy and potential mechanisms of EFT in managing PTSD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional freedom technique versus written exposure therapy versus waiting list for post-traumatic stress disorder: protocol for a randomised clinical MRI study. Choi, Y., Kim, Y., Choi, S., et al.[2023]

A single session of Thought Field Therapy (TFT) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in 50 orphaned adolescents affected by the Rwandan genocide, with caregiver ratings showing a decrease in PTSD cutoffs from 100% to 6%.

The positive effects of TFT were sustained over a year, as indicated by follow-up checklists, and the therapy became integrated into the orphanage's culture, highlighting its long-term efficacy and acceptance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of PTSD in Rwandan child genocide survivors using thought field therapy. Sakai, CE., Connolly, SM., Oas, P.[2015]

In a study of veterans with PTSD, those who received Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) showed significant reductions in psychological distress and PTSD symptoms, with 90% no longer meeting clinical criteria after treatment, compared to only 4% in the standard care waitlist group.

Long-term follow-up indicated that 86% of veterans who received EFT continued to not meet PTSD criteria after six sessions, demonstrating both the immediate and sustained efficacy of EFT in treating PTSD symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychological trauma symptom improvement in veterans using emotional freedom techniques: a randomized controlled trial. Church, D., Hawk, C., Brooks, AJ., et al.[2019]

A meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials found that emotional freedom techniques (EFT) significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, with a large treatment effect size of Cohen's d = 2.96, indicating strong efficacy compared to usual care or waitlist controls.

EFT was shown to be safe, with no reported adverse effects, and can be effectively used both as a self-help method and as a primary treatment for PTSD across various populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Sebastian, B., Nelms, J.[2018]

Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) show significant effectiveness in treating PTSD, with large effect sizes (1.38 to 2.51) when compared to waitlist or no treatment controls, based on a systematic review of six randomized clinical trials.

When compared to other active therapies, EFT produced similar treatment results, indicating it can be an effective alternative or complement to established evidence-based therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional freedom techniques for treating post traumatic stress disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Stapleton, P., Kip, K., Church, D., et al.[2023]

In a study of 6735 veterans, those receiving individual cognitive processing therapy (CPT) showed a statistically greater reduction in PTSD symptoms at discharge compared to those in group CPT, although the difference was less than the clinically important threshold.

By the 4-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in PTSD symptom severity between the group and individual therapy participants, suggesting that both treatment formats may ultimately lead to similar long-term outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative effectiveness of group v. individual trauma-focused treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans. Spiller, TR., Duek, O., Buta, E., et al.[2023]

A 16-week group treatment for PTSD involving 86 women veterans showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, with 77% of participants experiencing a clinically meaningful response and 52% losing their PTSD diagnosis, indicating high efficacy of the group format.

The treatment also enhanced mental and physical functioning and quality of life, suggesting that group therapy can be as effective as individual treatments, particularly with the structured use of cognitive, exposure, and skills modules.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Group-delivered cognitive/exposure therapy for PTSD in women veterans: A randomized controlled trial. Castillo, DT., Chee, CL., Nason, E., et al.[2019]

In a study involving 108 active duty military personnel, group cognitive processing therapy (CPT-C) was found to be more effective than group present-centered therapy (PCT) in reducing PTSD symptoms and also significantly improved depression levels, with benefits lasting through follow-up assessments.

Both therapies were well tolerated with few adverse events, highlighting the potential of group therapy as a valuable treatment option for military personnel suffering from PTSD, especially in settings with limited access to individual therapists.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized clinical trial of group cognitive processing therapy compared with group present-centered therapy for PTSD among active duty military personnel. Resick, PA., Wachen, JS., Mintz, J., et al.[2022]

A single session of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) combined with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) led to significant improvements in PTSD symptoms for a survivor of the Twin Towers collapse, as measured by the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) and Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI).

The participant experienced nearly complete symptom relief and was able to return to work after years of disability, highlighting the potential efficacy of combining these therapeutic approaches for treating complex PTSD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

World Trade Center: A longitudinal case study for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Emotional Freedom Technique and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Nicosia, GJ., Minewiser, L., Freger, A.[2019]

In a study of 268 active-duty servicemembers, individual cognitive processing therapy (CPT) was found to be more effective than group CPT in reducing PTSD severity, with significant improvements noted immediately after treatment.

Both individual and group formats of CPT led to reductions in depression and suicidal ideation, but about 50% of participants still experienced PTSD symptoms after treatment, highlighting the need for improved or new therapeutic options in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Group vs Individual Cognitive Processing Therapy in Active-Duty Military Seeking Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Resick, PA., Wachen, JS., Dondanville, KA., et al.[2022]

Citations

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Cognitive behavioral therapy Mental health conditions that may get better with CBT include: Depression. Anxiety. Phobias. Post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD.

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Cognitive behaviour therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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