Internet-delivered Trauma-focused Cognitive-behavioral Therapy as an Early Intervention After Sexual Trauma

Launched by KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET · Jul 9, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a type of therapy called Condensed Internet-delivered Prolonged Exposure (CIPE) to help people who have experienced sexual assault. The goal is to see how well this online therapy works as a quick response to help individuals who are showing signs of Acute Stress Disorder or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after their trauma. Participants will be those who have sought help within two months of the assault and are feeling psychological distress, such as anxiety or flashbacks.

To be eligible for the trial, participants need to be at least 18 years old and have experienced trauma in the last two months. They should also show some symptoms related to stress or trauma. However, people with serious mental health issues, those who cannot read or write in Swedish, or anyone currently receiving other trauma-focused treatments will not be included. If someone joins the study, they can expect to receive therapy through an online platform, which aims to provide support and coping strategies in a convenient and accessible way.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Experienced trauma in the past two months according to criterion A for PTSD in the DSM-5 (exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence).
• • At least mild clinical symptoms assessed using the PCL-5 cut-off \>10
• • ≥ 18 years
• • Signed informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Other serious comorbidity as primary concern (ongoing substance dependence, untreated bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms, severe depression, borderline personality disorder, high suicidal risk)
• • Unable to read and write in Swedish
• • Receiving other psychological trauma-focused treatment
• • Ongoing trauma-related threat (e.g., living with a violent spouse)
• • Not stable dose of antidepressant medication the last two weeks