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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a new therapy, called PVSET, can reduce symptoms of anxiety, trauma, and depression in members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The treatment focuses on increasing positive emotions and improving overall quality of life. Participants will undergo six therapy sessions, available in person or online. Suitable candidates have been referred by a doctor or psychologist, have tried other treatments, but still experience symptoms. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to explore a novel approach to improving mental health and quality of life.

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 prior data suggests that this treatment protocol is safe for police and military personnel?

Research has shown that the Positive Valence System Enhancement Treatment (PVSET) is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have explored its effectiveness in increasing positive feelings and reducing anxiety and depression. Participants in these studies reported emotional improvement without major side effects.

The treatment includes educational sessions and activities designed to boost positive emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Trained professionals provide it in a supportive and controlled setting. Although detailed safety data from specific studies on PVSET remains limited, the focus on enhancing positive emotions suggests a low risk of harm.

Overall, for those considering joining a trial for PVSET, existing evidence supports its safety, with participants typically handling the treatment well. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Positive Valence System Enhancement Treatment (PVSET) because it offers a fresh approach to managing anxiety and depression by focusing on boosting positive emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Unlike traditional therapies that primarily target reducing negative symptoms, PVSET emphasizes psychoeducation and positive activity interventions to enhance emotional well-being. This innovative method is designed to be flexible, as it can be delivered both virtually and in-person, catering to the preferences of police and military personnel who often face unique mental health challenges.

What evidence suggests that PVSET is effective for improving emotional well-being in police and military personnel?

Research has shown that treatments focusing on the positive valence system (PVS), such as PVSET, which participants in this trial will receive, can help with anxiety and depression. Studies have found that these treatments increase positive emotions and improve overall mood. They help people with depression and anxiety feel more positive and connect better with others. Early results suggest that targeting the PVS might also reduce symptoms of anhedonia, a condition where someone struggles to feel pleasure. This approach boosts positive feelings, helping people feel happy and satisfied. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Citations

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Future research directions in the Positive Valence Systems

Thus, there are a wide array of data finding that individuals and youth with depression have reduced PVS functioning relative to those without depression. PVS ...

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000579672400072X

Amplification of positivity for depression and anxiety

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Amplification of Positivity Treatment for Anxiety and Depression

The positive valence system supports social bond formation and maintenance yet is often hyporesponsive in those with anxiety or depression. We conducted an ...

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jamanetwork.com

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Augmentation of Positive Valence System–Focused ...

This pilot trial will provide preliminary evidence of the augmentation effect of high-frequency inaudible sounds on cognitive behavioral therapy for anhedonia.

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Positive Valence System Enhancement Treatment for ...

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withpower.com

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PVSET for Emotional Well-Being in Police and Military ...

Participants receive Positive Valence System Enhancement Treatment for Anxiety and Depression (PVSET) ... increase positive emotions, cognitions, and ...

8.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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... positive valence treatment for anxiety or depression. Madeleine ... positive emotions and anxiety to relationship formation in social anxiety ...

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sciencedirect.com

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The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to identify changes in the LPP and the RewP in older adults receiving reward-enhancing psychotherapy ...

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Depressive symptoms in other mental disorder or healthy population. Table 3. Positive Valence Systems (PVS) primary articles. References ...