Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

NCT03777553 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: D1298-W-1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 9
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to learn more about Narrative Exposure Therapy for Justice Involved Veterans. This pilot study will examine the feasibility of this intervention in a justice-involved veteran population, and will see whether the intervention needs to be tailored to best meet their needs. The investigators will examine whether the intervention impacts key clinical outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, as well as on measures of moral injury, anger, depression, suicidality, and aggression.

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Keywords

posttraumatic stress disorder; criminal justice; Veterans

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5)

  On the PCL-5 participants first report an autobiographical narrative of a trauma, and subsequently rate how bothered they were by each symptom (0 \[not at all\] - 4 \[extremely\]) for all DSM-V PTSD symptoms within the past week. Total score range is 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting greater symptomatology. Positive change score reflects increase in PTSD symptoms from baseline to post-treatment; negative change score reflects decrease in PTSD symptoms from baseline to post-treatment.

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks), and baseline to 3 months post-treatment.

• Dimensions of Anger Reactions (DAR)

  The DAR is a 7-item scale measuring the frequency, duration, and behavioral response to anger, and anger-related functional impairment on social relationships, health, and work. It was found to have concurrent and discriminant validity, and to correlate highly with measures of functional impairment, in a large sample of treatment-seeking soldiers who had served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Score range is from 0-56, with higher score reflecting greater problems with anger. Positive change score reflects increase in anger interference from baseline to post-treatment; negative change score reflects decrease in anger interference from baseline to post-treatment.

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks), and baseline to 3 months post-treatment.

• The Appetitive Aggression Scale (AAS)

  This scale has two parts. Part 1 is a 17-item scale that asked participants to mark whether they have engaged in or witness specific violent acts. 15 of these items measure acts that could reflect appetitive aggression (".made another person scream in pain"), and two are more clearly reactive ("...defended yourself in a fight"). If a participant endorses having engaged in any of the 15 potentially appetitive aggressive behaviors, then Part 2 is administered. Data from Part 2 is what is presented here. Part 2 is a 19-item scale that evaluates (yes or no) whether the participant enjoys engaging in violence. Only the first 15 items are scored because these reflect appetitive aggression (the last 4 items evaluate reactive aggression). Total score on Part 2 ranges from 0 to 15, with higher score reflecting greater appetitive aggression. Negative change score reflects decreases in appetitive aggression from baseline to post-treatment; positive change scores reflect increases.

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks)

• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2)

  The BDI-2 is a 21-item scale that evaluates symptoms of depression. Total score range is from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater depression. Negative change scores reflect decrease in depression from pre to post treatment; positive change scores reflect increase in depression from pre to post treatment.

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks), and baseline to 3 months post-treatment.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• The Moral Injury Events Scale (MIES)

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks), and baseline to 3 months post-treatment.

• Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2)

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks), and baseline to 3 months post-treatment.

• Trauma-Related Guilt Index (TRGI)

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks)

• Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ)

  Change in total score from baseline to end of treatment (approximately 10-12 weeks), and baseline to 3 months post-treatment.

Study Arms (1)

VETNET

EXPERIMENTAL

Narrative Exposure Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans

Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans

Interventions

Narrative Exposure Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral intervention that uses narrative therapy and exposure to address repeated or complex trauma.

Also known as: VETNET

VETNET

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Is a veteran;
• Recent justice involvement including current probation, parole, or house arrest, or having been released from jail or prison within the past 1 year;
• Meets current criteria for PTSD.

You may not qualify if:

• Currently incarcerated;
• Current, active psychosis;
• Is at imminent risk for suicide or homicide warranting immediate intervention;
• Substance abuse that is severe enough to prevent full engagement in the study protocol;
• Concurrent trauma-focused psychotherapy including Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, or EMDR;
• Is unable to unwilling to complete study procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VA Office of Research and Development: lead

Study Sites (1)

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Elizabeth Van Voorhees
• Organization: Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center

elizabeth.vanvoorhees@va.gov

919-886-5542

Study Officials

• Elizabeth E Van Voorhees, PhD

  Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: FED
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This is a single group pre/post trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 12, 2018
• First Posted: December 17, 2018
• Study Start: June 13, 2019
• Primary Completion: February 24, 2021
• Study Completion: February 24, 2021
• Last Updated: April 19, 2024
• Results First Posted: April 19, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)