Early Support After Exposure to Trauma
Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies
360 participants
Sep 13, 2024
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
A significant proportion of people who are exposed to traumatic events suffer from post-traumatic sequelae, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Indicated preventive interventions soon after trauma could be appropriate. Yet, there is limited evidence for the efficacy of such interventions. Moreover, no evidence-based preventive interventions are readily available for victims in the aftermath of crises and disasters in Norway. Condensed Internet-delivered Prolonged Exposure (CIPE) is a preventive intervention designed for victims with symptoms of PTSD (PTSS) approximately one month after a traumatic event. The treatment is an internet-delivered, therapist assisted intervention, based on principles from Prolonged Exposure. CIPE has proven to be feasible, safe, and effective in previous studies. This study aims to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CIPE in the context of psychosocial crisis services in Norwegian municipalities. Hypotheses Effectiveness H1 Participants receiving CIPE + treatment as usual (TAU) will have significantly less PTSS than participants receiving TAU at 6 weeks post T1, and at 6-, and 12- months after the traumatic incident. H2 Significantly fewer participants receiving CIPE+TAU will fulfill the criteria for PTSD compared to participants receiving TAU, at 6- and 12-months post trauma. H3 Participants receiving CIPE+TAU will have significantly less symptoms of depression and insomnia than participants receiving TAU at 6 weeks post T1, and at 6-, and 12- months after the traumatic incident. H4 Participants in the CIPE+TAU-condition will report significantly higher treatment satisfaction at post-treatment, compared to those in the TAU-condition. H5 Participants with traumatic loss receiving CIPE+TAU will have significantly less symptoms of prolonged grief than such participants receiving TAU 12 months after the loss. Cost-effectiveness H6 Fewer participants in the CIPE+TAU-condition will be referred to second-tier specialty mental health services, and more will achieve improved quality of life within the first year after the traumatic incident, compared to participants in the TAU-condition. H7 The CIPE+TAU implementation is more cost-effective compared to the TAU in the short run and may even dominate TAU in the long run (i.e., more effective and less costly).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Receives support from a municipal crisis team
- Exposure to a traumatic event (as defined by criteria A for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the DSM-5) within the last seven weeks before randomization
- A total score of 10 or above on the PTSD Symptom Checklist-5 at the time of randomization
- Age 16 or above
- Written informed consent
- Writes and speaks English and/or Norwegian
Exclusion Criteria5
- Severe psychopathology in need of specialized health care (e.g., psychotic symptoms, or high suicide risk) or substance dependence syndrome in need of specialized health care
- Known or evident severe cognitive impairment
- Ongoing traumatization, violence, or threats
- Unstable dose of psychotropic medication two weeks prior to randomization
- Concurrent therapy elsewhere before randomization
Interventions
'Condensed Internet-delivered Prolonged Exposure' (CIPE) is an intervention designed for victims with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) soon after a traumatic incident. CIPE is a therapist-supported intervention that consists of four modules delivered over the internet. Central CIPE-interventions include psychoeducation of normal post-traumatic reactions, in-vivo exposure, imaginary exposure, and a breathing exercise.
There is currently considerable heterogeneity regarding the interventional principles applied in the Treatment-as-usual (TAU) condition across municipal crisis teams. The national guidelines (The Norwegian Directorate of Health, 2016), recommends several interventional principles such as psychological first aid (PFA), psychoeducation regarding crisis reactions/symptoms of acute stress, normalization of such reactions, activation of social support, and practical assistance.
Locations(21)
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NCT06592677