A Comprehensive Third-generation Intervention for People With Psychosis and Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms

Launched by UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID · Nov 10, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is testing a new, comprehensive therapy for adults who have both psychosis or psychotic symptoms and trauma-related PTSD. People are randomly assigned to either the usual care they would receive (TAU) plus a trauma-psychosis treatment, or to TAU with a waiting list. The new program follows three stages: build safety and a good therapeutic relationship, revisit and process the traumatic memories, and help people reconnect with others and life. It’s delivered as about a dozen 90-minute individual sessions, combining approaches like ACT, mindfulness, EMDR, and positive psychology. Researchers will look to see if this approach reduces trauma and psychotic symptoms and improves overall functioning and well-being.

Who can join and what to expect: the study is for adults aged 18–65 who have a psychotic-spectrum disorder or a mood disorder with psychotic symptoms, and who also meet criteria for PTSD (they’ll need to speak Spanish). People are screened to see if they’re at higher risk for PTSD, and there are a few exclusions (recent significant substance use problems or serious cognitive issues). If eligible, you’ll be randomly assigned to the new therapy plus TAU or to TAU with a waiting list. Assessments happen at start, around 12 weeks, and at 6 months, using standard measures of PTSD symptoms, psychotic symptoms, daily functioning, well-being, life satisfaction, and emotion regulation. The trial is taking place in Madrid, Spain, and results aren’t available yet; it’s expected to complete in 2026.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Those showing a high risk of PTSD (TSQ ≥6) will be further evaluated to determine whether they meet the inclusion criteria. Participants must:
• • Be between the ages of 18 and 65 fluent enough in Spanish language;
• • Meet the criteria for a diagnosis of a psychotic spectrum disorder or a mood disorder with psychotic symptoms according to MINI (Sheeman et al., 1997);
• • Meet PTSD diagnostic criteria according to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS; Blake et al., 1995)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Those who have a diagnosis of substance or alcohol abuse or dependence in the 30 days prior to participation in the study
• • To have a severe neurocognitive problems or brain damage that interfere with the basic processing of information in psychotherapy.