Prolonged Exposure Therapy to Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Pregnant Patients Receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT · Oct 31, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called prolonged exposure therapy plus incentives (PE+) to see if it can help pregnant people who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are receiving medication for opioid use disorder. The main goal is to find out if this therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms in these individuals. All participants will receive therapy sessions for one hour each week for 12 weeks and will also get financial incentives for attending these sessions. Additionally, they will have check-in visits every four weeks throughout the trial and will allow researchers to access some information about their labor and delivery after their babies are born.

To participate in this trial, you need to be a female over 18 years old who is less than 25 weeks pregnant and has been on a stable dose of methadone or buprenorphine for at least two weeks. You must also have a current diagnosis of PTSD. However, individuals who are male, under 18, more than 25 weeks pregnant, not receiving medication for opioid use disorder, or currently experiencing certain mental health issues will not be eligible. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it offers a supportive opportunity for individuals facing these challenges during pregnancy.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Female
• • \>18 years old
• • Gestational age ≤ 25 weeks
• • Maintained on a stable methadone or buprenorphine dose for \>14 days prior to the study
• • Meet current DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder criteria based on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5
• • Participants receiving psychotropic medications must be maintained on a stable dose for \>14 days prior to enrollment.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Male
• • Under 18 years old
• • Gestational age \> 25 weeks
• • Not receiving medication for opioid use disorder
• • No current diagnosis of PTSD
• • Current delusions or hallucinations, unstable bipolar disorder, imminent risk for suicide as assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview
• • Enrolled in another ongoing evidence-based treatment for PTSD.