Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy for PTSD After Cardiac Arrest

YN
MB
Overseen ByMaja Bergman, Ph.D.
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Columbia University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new therapy called Acceptance- and Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy (AMBET) helps treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people who survived a cardiac arrest. This study will compare AMBET to another psychotherapy treatment called Present Centered Therapy (PCT) to see which therapy is more effective in treating PTSD.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does AMBET reduce PTSD symptoms in survivors of cardiac arrest? How do the benefits of AMBET compare to PCT?

Participants will:

* Be randomly assigned to receive either AMBET or PCT

* Attend 12 hours of individual psychotherapy sessions over about 12 weeks

* Complete short weekly surveys about their mood and behaviors online

* Wear a Fitbit device to track sleep and activity during the study

* Do brief homework assignments between sessions

Who Is on the Research Team?

YN

Yuval Neria, PhD

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

MB

Maja Bergman, PhD

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for U.S. residents aged 18-81 who speak English, survived a cardiac arrest over 3 months ago, and are experiencing PTSD symptoms (with a CAPS-5 score ≥25).

Inclusion Criteria

Fluency in English
I had a cardiac arrest more than 3 months ago.
U.S. Resident
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Substantial cognitive impairment (Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) score <25)
I started a new mental health medication less than 3 months ago.
Terminal illness with life expectancy <1 year
See 5 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either AMBET or PCT therapy, attend 12 hours of psychotherapy sessions over about 12 weeks, complete weekly surveys, and wear a Fitbit device

12 weeks
12 sessions (remote)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in PTSD and depressive symptoms post-treatment

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Acceptance and Mindfulness Based Exposure Therapy
  • Present Centered Therapy

Trial Overview

The study compares Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy (AMBET) with Present Centered Therapy (PCT) to see which is more effective in treating PTSD after cardiac arrest. Participants will undergo 12 hours of therapy over roughly 12 weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Acceptance- and mindfulness-based exposure therapy (AMBET)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Present-Centered Therapy (PCT)Active Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Columbia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,529
Recruited
2,832,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials
1,841
Recruited
28,150,000+