Comparative Effectiveness of Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy Vs TAU for Adjustment Disorder Following Traumatic Event Exposure
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Summary
Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is the most common mental health condition diagnosed in Active Duty personnel, and is diagnosed following an extreme stress event such as traumatic loss of a comrade, serious accident or injury, or other intense stress event. Despite its high prevalence, no evidence based treatment for AjD has been subjected to randomized controlled trials. This study seeks to build on the research team's pilot work across several disorders study to benefit service members and Veterans with AjD, a highly prevalent but frequently inadequately treated condition. The investigators will compare the effects of Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT) vs treatment as usual which is Moving Forward Problem Solving Therapy (TAU-PST) on AjD symptom outcomes. The investigators hypothesize that TBT will result in greater overall symptom reduction compared to TAU-PST.
Description
Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is the most common mental health condition diagnosed in Active Duty personnel, and is diagnosed following an extreme stress event such as traumatic loss of a comrade, serious accident or injury, or other intense stress event. Despite its high prevalence, no evidence based treatment for AjD has been subjected to randomized controlled trials. Currently, the VA suggests a problem solving cognitive behavioral therapy, but this recommendation is not based on replicated, randomized controlled trials. Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT), is based on key 'active component…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult male or female over the age of 18 that has served, or is currently serving, in the military. * Stable psychotropic medication for at least 4 weeks if applicable * Current DSM-5 diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder Exclusion Criteria: * Active psychosis * Suicidal ideation with clear intent * Severe substance use
Interventions
- BehavioralTransdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT)
TBT manualized treatment incorporates daily exposure exercises from up to four categories of avoidance that are most characteristic of the emotional disorders (i.e., situational, interoceptive, imaginal, and positive emotional).
- BehavioralTreatment as Usual-Problem Solving Therapy (TAU-PST)
PST is an evidence- based psychotherapy implemented in VA Primary Care - Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI), with hundreds of VA providers trained in the intervention nationally. The primary aim of PST is to improve a patient's ability to cope with stressful events by adopting an adaptive perspective to stressors and using goal-focused, problem-solving behaviors to manage the problems associated with the stressors.
Location
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care SystemCharleston, South Carolina