RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06947538

Stepped Care for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Study

Adaptive Interventions to Improve Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment Access, Engagement, and Effectiveness in Routine Care

Sponsor

Boston Medical Center

Enrollment

428 participants

Start Date

Mar 12, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Summary

Less than 20% of people with PTSD receive any treatment. This study extends a program of research by the investigator focused on developing adaptive (stepped) interventions for PTSD. The adaptive intervention sequences a digital mental health intervention (DMHI) and brief trauma- and skills-focused treatments for PTSD. The selected treatments are brief and scalable and less burdensome to systems of care. These treatments are: web-administered Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (webSTAIR), Brief STAIR, and Written Exposure Therapy (WET).

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing a "stepped care" approach for treating PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in primary care patients — starting with lower-intensity treatments and stepping up to more intensive ones if needed — to see whether this system works better than usual care. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a patient at Boston Medical Center's primary care clinic - You are 18 years or older - You have access to a computer or mobile device - You can receive treatment in English or Spanish and read at a 4th grade level or higher - You have experienced a traumatic event and have a confirmed PTSD diagnosis - Your PTSD symptoms are at a level appropriate for outpatient (non-hospital) care - Your psychiatric medications (if any) have been stable for at least 4 weeks **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You do not have a confirmed PTSD diagnosis - You require a higher level of care than outpatient (e.g., inpatient psychiatric care) - You are not stable on psychiatric medications - You are not a patient at the participating clinic Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALwebSTAIR

WebSTAIR consists of 10 online modules that provide psychoeducation on trauma and emotions and teach skills to improve coping with emotions and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Modules are completed at the participants' own pace and utilize interactive exercises, and audio and video components to aid in delivery.

BEHAVIORALWebSTAIR plus coaching

WebSTAIR with up to five 30-min coaching sessions with a CHW will focus on guiding participants through the program, discussing exercises that are valuable or problematic, and reviewing module content.

BEHAVIORALClinician administered Brief STAIR

Brief STAIR is a brief, low intensity, therapy that utilizes psychoeducation, coping skills training, and does not include recounting of the trauma memory, making it highly tolerable. It will be delivered by mental health clinicians in five to six 30-minute individual sessions.

BEHAVIORALClinician administered WET

WET is a brief, high intensity, exposure-based treatment delivered by mental health clinicians consisting of six 30-minute individual sessions that cover treatment rationale, psychoeducation about PTSD, and directing participants to write in session about their traumatic experience using scripted instructions.