Enhancing the Effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure Among Suicidal Individuals With PTSD
Purpose
The long-term goal of this study is to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among treatment-seeking individuals who also have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prolonged exposure (PE) and crisis response plan (CRP) have demonstrated empirical support for reducing suicide attempts as compared to treatment as usual. However, no studies to date have assessed their effectiveness when used in combination. In light of this knowledge gap, the primary objective of this study will be to test the effectiveness of PE augmented with CRP as compared to PE with care as usual (self-guided treatment plan), an active comparator, for the reduction of suicide ideations and attempts for individuals with comorbid PTSD.
Conditions
- PTSD
- Suicidal Ideation
- Suicide, Attempted
- Trauma, Psychological
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Over 18 Years
- Eligible Genders
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- Current diagnosis of PTSD or subthreshold PTSD; ability to speak and understand the English language; and ability to complete the informed consent process.
Exclusion Criteria
- Substance use disorder requiring medical management; imminent suicide risk warranting inpatient hospitalization or suicide-focused treatment; and impaired mental status that precludes the ability to provide informed consent (e.g., intoxication, psychosis, mania).
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None (Open Label)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental Prolonged exposure with crisis response plan |
In the enhanced prolonged exposure condition, participants will complete a CRP instead of a safety plan. The CRP is another recommended standard care practice with suicidal patients that includes many of the same elements as the safety plan (i.e., warning signs, self-management strategies, sources of social support, crisis services), but is created collaboratively by the patient with active input of their clinician rather than being self-guided. The CRP also includes a section focused on the participant's reasons for living, an addition that has been shown to increase positive emotional states (e.g., hope, optimism) and lead to faster reductions in suicidal intent. The CRP will be administered during the first therapy session. |
|
|
Active Comparator Prolonged exposure with safety plan |
In the standard prolonged exposure condition, participants will complete a safety plan, a procedure that includes personal warning signs for a suicidal crisis, self-management strategies, sources of social support, and contact information for professional resources and crisis services within the participant's local community, as well as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number. As a recommended standard care practice with suicidal patients, the combination of PE and safety plan represents treatment as usual. The safety plan will be administered during the first therapy session. |
|
Recruiting Locations
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Ohio State University
Detailed Description
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with a host of functional problems and negative outcomes, including occupational and marital dissatisfaction, violence, alcohol and substance abuse, and suicide. Cognitive behavioral treatments tend to be the most highly efficacious treatments for PTSD. Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is a manualized cognitive behavioral therapy consisting of imaginal exposure followed by processing thoughts and feelings related to the imaginal experience; in-vivo exposure, psychoeducation, and controlled breathing training. Preliminary evidence suggests that PE is associated with significant suicidal ideation (SI) reductions. Enhancing PE with procedures that have been shown to significantly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors could serve to further reduce suicide risk during and after treatment completion. The long-term goal of this project is to prevent suicides among individuals diagnosed with PTSD by integrating trauma-focused therapies with suicide-focused interventions. The primary objective of this pilot project is to test the efficacy of PE when enhanced with a crisis response plan utilizing self-report, behavioral, and ecological assessment methods to compare treatment effects.
