PVSET for Emotional Well-Being in Police and Military Personnel

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Disqualifiers: Psychosis, Untreated bipolar, Suicidal ideation, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 6 weeks

65 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study will examine whether actively serving and veteran members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who complete a treatment targeting anhedonia symptoms and amplifying positive emotional processing: 1) experience significant symptom reductions in anxiety, trauma, and depressive symptoms; 2) report increased experience of positive emotions; 3) report improvements to broad functioning and quality of life; and 4) find the treatment to be highly tolerable.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

No, you will not have to stop taking your current medications. You need to be on a stable medication routine and agree not to change it during the treatment.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment PVSET for emotional well-being in police and military personnel?

The research highlights the effectiveness of trauma-focused psychotherapies, like those used in police officers and veterans with PTSD, which show significant symptom reduction. Programs like STEADY, which include elements such as peer support and psychoeducation, have been developed to improve mental well-being in public safety personnel, suggesting that similar approaches could be beneficial for police and military personnel. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the PVSET treatment differ from other treatments for emotional well-being in police and military personnel?

PVSET is unique because it focuses on building resilience and self-regulation skills through a combination of technology-based training and personal mentoring, which is different from traditional therapies that may not incorporate these elements. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for active or veteran members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police who still have symptoms after a psychological treatment. They must not be suicidal, experiencing psychosis, or have untreated bipolar disorder. Participants should keep their medication stable during the study and must speak English.

Inclusion Criteria

Have been referred to receive the treatment protocol at the OSIC at Deer Lodge Centre by a doctor or psychologist

Be able to speak, read, and write in English

I do not have untreated bipolar disorder, psychosis, or current thoughts of suicide with a plan.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Positive Valence System Enhancement Treatment for Anxiety and Depression (PVSET) consisting of 6 sessions, each lasting one hour, delivered either virtually or in-person

6 weeks

6 sessions (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in quality of life, depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and affect

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• PVSET

Trial Overview The study tests PVSET, a treatment aimed at reducing anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) and boosting positive emotions in police and military personnel. It evaluates changes in anxiety, trauma, depression symptoms, emotional well-being, overall functioning, and life quality.

Participant Groups

Group I: PVSET Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a course of individual therapy through the Operational Stress Injury Clinic (OSIC) at Deer Lodge Centre. Therapy will consist of a validated treatment protocol known as Positive Valence System Enhancement Treatment for Anxiety and Depression (PVSET), which will consist of psychoeducation and positive activity interventions designed to increase positive emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Therapy sessions will be facilitated by psychologists, licensed therapists (e.g., MSW, RPN), and/or graduate students in psychology under supervision at the OSIC. PVSET will consist of 6 sessions, each lasting one hour, and will be delivered either virtually or in-person at OSIC depending on patient preference.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

Findings from Research

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is actively disseminating two effective psychotherapies for PTSD, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE), to improve treatment availability for veterans.

Initial evaluations of these training initiatives show promising results at the patient, therapist, and system levels, highlighting the importance of ongoing support and strategies for successful implementation in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder in the Veterans Health Administration. Karlin, BE., Ruzek, JI., Chard, KM., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of Outcome and Residual Symptoms Following Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy in Police Officers With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder in the Veterans Health Administration. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A clinician/researcher partnership to understand patterns and predictors of trauma-focused psychotherapy and nontrauma-focused psychotherapy use among veterans with PTSD. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Quantitative Test of an Implementation Framework in 38 VA Residential PTSD Programs. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of an Evidence-Informed Solution to Emotional Distress in Public Safety Personnel and Healthcare Workers: The Social Support, Tracking Distress, Education, and Discussion CommunitY (STEADY) Program. [2022]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Profiling Police Forces against Stress: Risk and Protective Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Burnout in Police Officers. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness training reduces PTSD symptoms and improves stress-related health outcomes in police officers. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Wellbeing of Italian Peacekeeper Military: Psychological Resources, Quality of Life and Internalizing Symptoms. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Police department personnel stress resilience training: an institutional case study. [2021]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sources of Stress and Psychological Health Outcomes Among U.S. Air Force Total Force Distributed Common Ground System Operators. [2019]