NCT02236390

Brief Summary

The purpose of the proposed pilot study is to extend previous findings regarding the efficacy of a brief treatment for chronic posttrauma nightmares and sleep problems by integrating this treatment with evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) (Resick \& Schnicke, 1996) is a well-established and efficacious evidence-based psychological treatment for PTSD in both civilian and veteran populations (Forbes et al., 2012; Monson et al., 2006; Resick et al., 2008; Resick, Nishith, Weaver, Astin, \& Feuer, 2002). The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) includes CPT among the first-line treatments for PTSD (National Center for PTSD, 2012). A modified protocol without the utilization of written exposure (CPT-C) may be more effective than the original protocol. However, despite such promising evidence, individuals who experience chronic nightmares and sleep problems tend to show smaller gains and persistent nightmares following PTSD treatment (Nappi, Drummond, \& Hall, 2012). Given that nightmares are considered the hallmark of PTSD (Ross, Ball, Sullivan, \& Caroff, 1989) and their treatment-resistant nature (Davis \& Wright, 2007), specific psychological treatments have been developed to target sleep disturbances and nightmares. Exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy (ERRT) is a promising psychological intervention developed to target trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. Though further evidence is needed, ERRT has exhibited strong support in reducing the frequency and intensity of nightmares, as well as improving overall sleep quality in both civilian and veteran samples. In addition, significant decreases in PTSD and depression symptoms have been reported following treatment (Davis et al., 2011; Davis \& Wright, 2007; Long et al., 2011; Swanson, Favorite, Horin, \& Arnedt, 2009). ERRT is currently an evidence-level B suggested treatment (Cranston, Davis, Rhudy, \& Favorite, 2011). There is a call to research suggesting the importance of treatment studies which focus on interventions that integrate nightmare and sleep symptom treatment with evidence-based treatment for PTSD (Nappi et al., 2012). In an effort to respond to this call, we propose to tailor ERRT for use in conjunction with CPT, and preliminarily test ERRT's additive effect to CPT in treating PTSD in community outpatients. We hypothesize that ERRT would increase CPT's treatment efficacy by its specific focus on trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbances. Sleep difficulties are known to increase tension, and reduce one's ability to cope adaptively (Bonn-Miller, Babson, Vujanovic, \& Feldner, 2010; Hofstetter, Lysaker, \& Mayeda, 2005; Nishith, Resick, \& Mueser, 2001). Thus, with improved sleep an individual may have additional personal coping resources for which s/he can use to address the broader trauma issues (Nappi et al., 2012). To test this integration, we will compare ERRT + CPT, CPT + ERRT, and CPT alone.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
90

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Aug 2014

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 1, 2014

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 8, 2014

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 10, 2014

Completed
10.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2024

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2024

Completed
Last Updated

November 22, 2024

Status Verified

November 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

10.3 years

First QC Date

September 8, 2014

Last Update Submit

November 20, 2024

Conditions

Keywords

NightmarePTSDSleepEmotion RegulationExposure Relaxation and Rescripting TherapyCognitive Processing Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Nightmare Frequency

    A fill-in-the blank question (range = 0-X nightmares) from the Trauma Related Nightmare Survey will be utilized to determine the past week nightmare frequency at baseline, and 3 and 6 months follow-up. Higher values indicate more nightmares.

    up to 6-months follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Clinician Administered PTSD Scale

    Past Month symptoms measured at baseline, and 3 and 6 month follow-up

Study Arms (3)

Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

12 sessions of cognitive processing therapy-Cognitive

Behavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy - Cognitive

ERRT + CPT-C

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

5 sessions of Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy, followed by 12 sessions of Cognitive Processing Therapy- Cognitive

Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting TherapyBehavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy - Cognitive

CPT-C + ERRT

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

12 sessions of Cognitive Processing Therapy - Cognitive, followed by 5 sessions of Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy

Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting TherapyBehavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy - Cognitive

Interventions

5 sessions that last approximately one hour addressing nightmares and sleep problems. Participants will log sleep events and associated symptoms

Also known as: ERRT, IRT
CPT-C + ERRTERRT + CPT-C

12 sessions cognitive behavioral treatment targeting posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Also known as: CPT-C, CPT
CPT-C + ERRTCognitive Processing Therapy-CognitiveERRT + CPT-C

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Years of Age minimal
  • Experienced a trauma
  • One nightmare per week for past month, minimal
  • meet full criteria for PTSD

You may not qualify if:

  • years of age or younger
  • acute psychosis
  • bipolar disorder
  • intellectual disability
  • active suicidality
  • untreated substance use disorder within past 6 months

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Tulsa

Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74104, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Davis JL, Rhudy JL, Pruiksma KE, Byrd P, Williams AE, McCabe KM, Bartley EJ. Physiological predictors of response to exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy for chronic nightmares in a randomized clinical trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2011 Dec 15;7(6):622-31. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.1466.

    PMID: 22171201BACKGROUND

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-TraumaticEmotional Regulation

Interventions

2-cyclohexylidenhydrazo-4-phenyl-thiazole

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, TraumaticTrauma and Stressor Related DisordersMental DisordersSelf-ControlSocial BehaviorBehavior

Study Officials

  • Joanne l Davis, PhD

    University of Tulsa

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 8, 2014

First Posted

September 10, 2014

Study Start

August 1, 2014

Primary Completion

November 1, 2024

Study Completion

November 1, 2024

Last Updated

November 22, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-11

Locations