iACT for PTSD and Chronic Pain

Launched by SKANE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Nov 23, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called iACT for PTSD and Chronic Pain, is studying a type of online therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people who have both PTSD and chronic pain. The goal is to see if this therapy can improve their symptoms and overall quality of life. The study is currently recruiting participants who are between the ages of 65 and 74 or 23 and 740 and can read and write in Swedish. To qualify, individuals should have experienced a single traumatic event, have a certain level of PTSD symptoms, and have chronic pain that makes daily activities difficult.

Participants in the study can expect to engage in therapy sessions online for about five hours a week. They will also need to be stable on their current medications and be able to actively participate in the rehabilitation process. It's important to note that individuals with certain severe mental health issues, recent substance abuse problems, or significant social and economic challenges may not be eligible. This trial offers a unique opportunity for those struggling with PTSD and chronic pain to explore new treatment options from the comfort of their own homes.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • a CAPS of ≥25
• • subjected to single traumatic events
• • were able to understand Swedish
• • had symptoms of chronic pain that interfered significantly with everyday life
• • were fully examined medically and had received medical treatment if indicated
• • were able to be an active part of the rehabilitation process, regain functioning in different life areas and participate in treatment interventions for approximately 5 hours every week
• • stable dose of medication
• • able to read and write in Swedish
• • had access to a smart phone or computer with internet access
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • repeated and extensive traumatic events
• • had other acute or severe psychiatric disorders or symptoms that warranted designation as the primary disorder (ongoing substance dependence, untreated bipolar disorder, OCD, psychotic symptoms, severe depression)
• • were actively abusing analgesic medications (including narcotics), alcohol or other drugs
• • had great difficulty to harbour and handle strong emotions that could lead to emotional outbursts or self-harming behavior
• • had health risks due to medical reasons
• • had social or economic difficulties or lack of social support that hindered behavior change
• • current severe suicidal ideation that warranted immediate intervention (indicated by the MINI and a score of 3 to item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item version (PHQ9))