Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD

Overseen By Justin Baker, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University

Disqualifiers: Substance use disorder, Imminent suicide risk, Impaired mental status

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

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 3 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new approach for treating individuals with PTSD who experience suicidal thoughts. The researchers compare two methods: one involves a self-guided safety plan, while the other includes a crisis response plan developed with a therapist to enhance hope and reduce suicidal thoughts. Suitable participants have PTSD, speak English, and do not require intensive substance use help or face a severe mental health crisis. The goal is to determine which method more effectively reduces suicidal thoughts and behaviors. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative PTSD treatment research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this therapy is safe for individuals with PTSD?

Research has shown that prolonged exposure (PE) therapy is a well-accepted treatment for PTSD. A review of multiple studies found PE to be very effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. Studies have also demonstrated that PE therapy is not only effective but safe for patients. In large studies, researchers used it with hundreds of veterans without reports of major side effects.

Another study found that PE therapy significantly reduced PTSD symptoms when combined with other treatments, like medication. This suggests that PE therapy is generally safe to use alongside other treatments.

Overall, PE therapy has a strong safety record in helping people manage PTSD symptoms. The focus on gradually facing trauma memories is a process that many people handle well. This indicates that the treatment is both effective and safe for most individuals seeking help for PTSD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these therapies for PTSD because they offer a more personalized approach to crisis management. Traditionally, PTSD treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may not focus on immediate crisis planning. The Prolonged Exposure Therapy with a Crisis Response Plan (CRP) stands out because it is collaboratively created with the clinician, emphasizing personal reasons for living, which can boost hope and optimism faster. This method contrasts with the more self-guided safety plan that’s commonly used, potentially leading to quicker and more meaningful reductions in suicidal intent.

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

Research has shown that Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy effectively treats post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People receiving PE therapy often experience significant improvements in PTSD symptoms compared to those without immediate treatment. In a study with veterans, both PE and Cognitive Processing Therapy reduced PTSD symptoms. PE therapy typically results in large decreases in PTSD symptoms and moderate decreases in depression. About 65% to 80% of people respond well to PE therapy, demonstrating its strong effectiveness.

In this trial, participants will receive either PE therapy with a safety plan or PE therapy with a crisis response plan. Adding a crisis response plan to PE therapy may enhance its effectiveness, particularly in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jaryd Hiser, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who are seeking treatment for PTSD and have suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Participants should be interested in a therapy called prolonged exposure (PE) and must not currently be receiving other specific psychological treatments.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with PTSD or have symptoms of PTSD.

I can understand and agree to the study's consent form.

Ability to speak and understand the English language

Exclusion Criteria

Substance use disorder requiring medical management

I am not at immediate risk of harming myself.

I am mentally capable of understanding and consenting to treatment.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Prolonged Exposure therapy with either a safety plan or a crisis response plan

3 weeks

Weekly therapy sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Prolonged Exposure

Trial Overview

The study tests the effectiveness of combining Prolonged Exposure therapy with a Crisis Response Plan (CRP) versus just PE with self-guided care, to see which is better at reducing suicidal thoughts and attempts in people with PTSD.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Prolonged exposure with crisis response plan Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In the enhanced prolonged exposure condition, participants will complete a CRP instead of a safety plan. The CRP is another recommended standard care practice with suicidal patients that includes many of the same elements as the safety plan (i.e., warning signs, self-management strategies, sources of social support, crisis services), but is created collaboratively by the patient with active input of their clinician rather than being self-guided. The CRP also includes a section focused on the participant's reasons for living, an addition that has been shown to increase positive emotional states (e.g., hope, optimism) and lead to faster reductions in suicidal intent. The CRP will be administered during the first therapy session.

Group II: Prolonged exposure with safety plan Active Control 1 Intervention

In the standard prolonged exposure condition, participants will complete a safety plan, a procedure that includes personal warning signs for a suicidal crisis, self-management strategies, sources of social support, and contact information for professional resources and crisis services within the participant's local community, as well as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number. As a recommended standard care practice with suicidal patients, the combination of PE and safety plan represents treatment as usual. The safety plan will be administered during the first therapy session.

Prolonged Exposure is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Prolonged Exposure Therapy for:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Approved in European Union as Prolonged Exposure Therapy for:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Approved in Canada as Prolonged Exposure Therapy for:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 160 active-duty military personnel with PTSD found that 60-minute prolonged exposure (PE) therapy sessions are just as effective as the standard 90-minute sessions, making treatment more accessible in settings that typically use shorter appointment times.

Both the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) and the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) showed that the efficacy of 60-minute sessions was noninferior to 90-minute sessions, suggesting that shorter sessions can be effectively implemented without compromising treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of 90-min versus 60-min sessions of prolonged exposure for PTSD: A randomized controlled trial in active-duty military personnel. Foa, EB., Bredemeier, K., Acierno, R., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 85 randomized controlled trials involving 14,420 participants found that adverse events (AEs) from psychotherapy can affect more than 10% of participants, with serious AEs occurring in more than 1 in 21 participants.

The study highlighted that the reporting and recording of AEs were inconsistent across trials, suggesting a need for standardized harm monitoring to better evaluate the risks and benefits of psychotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events in psychotherapy randomized controlled trials: A systematic review. Klatte, R., Strauss, B., Flückiger, C., et al.[2023]

The safety of psychological interventions is critical, as adverse events (AEs) can occur and must be carefully evaluated to ensure that these interventions do not cause harm before being deemed beneficial.

There is a pressing need for standardized protocols for assessing and reporting AEs in psychological interventions to improve transparency, consistency, and ultimately enhance clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Editorial: Primum non nocere - are adverse events accurately reported in studies on psychological interventions for children? Purgato, M., Cortese, S.[2023]

In a study of 1324 discharged patients, 10.88% experienced adverse events (AEs), with medication-related AEs occurring in 90% of those affected, highlighting the significant risk of harm from neuropsychiatric treatments.

The neuropsychiatry trigger tool (NPTT) was highly effective, identifying 30 times more AEs than traditional reporting methods, suggesting it could be a valuable tool for improving patient safety and reducing harm in hospital settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of a Trigger Tool to Identify Adverse Events and Harm in a Neuropsychiatry Setting. Sharma, S., Kapoor, K., Nasare, N., et al.[2023]

In a study of 31 combat veterans with PTSD undergoing prolonged exposure therapy, 9 out of 24 completers achieved complete remission from PTSD, indicating the therapy's potential efficacy.

The study found that successful remission from PTSD was associated with decreased activation in the left anterior insula during negative image anticipation and increased connectivity with other brain regions, suggesting that effective treatment may involve better regulation of anticipatory anxiety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurosubstrates of remission following prolonged exposure therapy in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Simmons, AN., Norman, SB., Spadoni, AD., et al.[2021]

Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is recognized as the most scientifically validated treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), outperforming various pharmacological and psychotherapeutic options.

The therapy includes both imaginal and in vivo exposure techniques, and the paper discusses its effectiveness and dissemination specifically in Japan, highlighting its importance in treating chronic PTSD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder]. Asukai, N.[2018]

Providers who received post-workshop consultation after a 4-day prolonged exposure therapy (PE) training reported significantly higher self-efficacy and used more components of PE, leading to better treatment delivery.

Patients treated by providers with post-workshop consultation experienced faster reductions in PTSD symptoms and lower severity at follow-up assessments, indicating that ongoing support for providers can enhance patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of a prolonged exposure workshop with and without consultation on provider and patient outcomes: a randomized implementation trial. Foa, EB., McLean, CP., Brown, LA., et al.[2022]

Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy is an effective first-line treatment for PTSD in Veterans and military personnel, significantly reducing symptoms and comorbid issues like anger and depression, supported by extensive research and clinical guidelines.

The PE protocol includes key components such as psychoeducation and exposure techniques, and the Veterans Health Administration has trained over 1,300 mental health providers to deliver this therapy, indicating a strong commitment to improving PTSD treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of exposure therapy: a gold standard for PTSD treatment. Rauch, SA., Eftekhari, A., Ruzek, JI.[2021]

Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy was found to be effective in reducing PTSD and depression symptoms in a small group of 10 Veterans with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic PTSD, showing large effect sizes from pre- to posttreatment.

The therapy was safely adapted for Veterans with cognitive impairments, indicating that PE can be a viable treatment option for this population, with significant symptom improvements observed after 8 to 18 sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A preliminary examination of prolonged exposure therapy with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. Wolf, GK., Strom, TQ., Kehle, SM., et al.[2022]

In a study of 200 psychiatric patients boarded in emergency departments, those who experienced adverse events (AEs) had a significantly longer average boarding time of 35 hours compared to 6.5 hours for those without AEs, indicating that longer stays may increase the risk of negative outcomes.

The research highlights that both the length of time patients spend in the emergency department and the duration of boarding after admission are critical factors that elevate the likelihood of experiencing adverse events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring the experience of boarded psychiatric patients in adult emergency departments. Major, D., Rittenbach, K., MacMaster, F., et al.[2021]

Current clinical trials for behavioral health interventions often do not monitor adverse events as thoroughly as those for medications and medical devices, focusing mainly on serious incidents like suicide attempts and hospitalizations.

There is a need for expanded monitoring of adverse events in psychotherapy trials to better inform patients about potential risks, including temporary increases in anxiety, which are often overlooked but can impact treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The need for expanded monitoring of adverse events in behavioral health clinical trials. Peterson, AL., Roache, JD., Raj, J., et al.[2012]

A training workshop on prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD significantly improved the self-efficacy and outcome expectations of 45 psychologists, leading to increased use of PE techniques in their practice.

The study highlights the importance of combining training with intensive consultation to enhance the delivery of evidence-based PTSD treatments, suggesting that such approaches could help more emergency service patients receive effective care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training plus intensive consultation improves uptake and outcome expectations of prolonged exposure therapy among practitioners treating emergency service personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder. Wade, D., Terhaag, S., Putica, A., et al.[2021]

Citations

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A meta-analytic review of prolonged exposure for ... - NCBI - NIH

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Prolonged Exposure for PTSD - PTSD: National Center for ...

In an RCT of 916 veterans randomized to PE or another trauma focused treatment, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), PTSD symptoms improved in both treatments.

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10448372/

Written Exposure Therapy vs Prolonged ...

In this study, WET was noninferior to PE in PTSD symptom change and was associated with significantly less attrition. Findings suggest that WET ...

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Bringing effective posttraumatic stress disorder treatment to ...

PE-PC showed significant and large reductions in PTSD and moderate reductions in depression. In addition, these significant reductions in PTSD ...

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865422000576

Enhancing Prolonged Exposure therapy for PTSD using ...

Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is one of the most effective treatments for PTSD, with response rates ranging from 65 to 80% [[9], [10], [11]]. A key component ...

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clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00057629

Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress ...

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a brief cognitive behavioral therapy, administered by community agencies, for the treatment of patients with Post ...

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Massed vs Intensive Outpatient Prolonged Exposure for ...

These findings suggest that both massed and intensive outpatient forms of prolonged exposure therapy are fast and effective for combat-related PTSD.