Treatment of Stress-Related Psychopathology: Targeting Maladaptive and Adaptive Event Processing
Case Western Reserve University
Summary
The R33 will be a randomized controlled trial to replicate changes in the targets (unproductive processing, avoidance, reward deficits) from the R61 phase in a larger sample of 135 participants who have experienced a destabilizing life event involving profound loss or threat, report persistent stressor-related symptoms of PTSD and/or depression, and are elevated on symptoms related to 2 of the 3 therapeutic targets. Additionally, this study will examine Positive Processes and Transition to Health (PATH)'s impact on stressor-related psychopathology in comparison to Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). In the R33 phase, the investigators will examine changes in target mechanisms predicting improvements in PTSD and depressive symptoms, as well as feasibility and acceptability. Patients will receive 6 sessions of PATH or PMR (with 2 boosters, if partial responders). Primary targets will be assessed at pre-treatment, week 3, post-treatment, and at 1- and 3-month follow-up; secondary targets at pre-treatment, weekly during treatment, post-treatment, and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.
Description
Evidence-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression consistently produce strong, clinically meaningful effects for many individuals. However, these interventions also have significant dropout rates, a large minority of individuals continue to have debilitating symptoms, and even those who respond may be vulnerable to relapse upon future stressors. More efficient and mechanistically precise interventions are needed. Consistent with the cross-cutting theme of studying the role of the environment in the NIMH Strategic Plan, the etiological role of exposure to de…