PTSD Treatment for Incarcerated Men and Women: WPP

NCT05432817 | Completed DMC

• 3 other identifiers: 2018-0630: WPPA538900Protocol Version 5/21/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 117
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Study examining the psychological response to group Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in incarcerated men and women with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study will be conducted in male and female incarcerated populations and will include 2 groups of individuals for both CPT and waitlist control in both populations (180 participants total).

Conditions

PTSD

Keywords

Group therapy; Incarcerated Individuals

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) severity score

  PTSD symptom severity is measured by PCL-5 questionnaire (scores from 0, no symptoms, to 80, high severity); primary measure of intervention efficacy

  baseline (two weeks prior to intervention), up to 6 weeks (mid-intervention), up to 13 weeks (one week post-intervention), up to 18 weeks (one month post-treatment), and up to 26 weeks (three months post-treatment)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in score on the Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI-II)

  baseline (two weeks prior to intervention), up to 6 weeks (mid-intervention), up to 13 weeks (one week post-intervention), up to 18 weeks (one month post-treatment), and up to 26 weeks (three months post-treatment)

• Change in score on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

  baseline (two weeks prior to intervention), up to 6 weeks (mid-intervention), up to 13 weeks (one week post-intervention), up to 18 weeks (one month post-treatment), and up to 26 weeks (three months post-treatment)

• Percentage of participants endorsing 2 or higher on Q9 of BDI-II

  baseline (two weeks prior to intervention), up to 6 weeks (mid-intervention), up to 13 weeks (one week post-intervention), up to 18 weeks (one month post-treatment), and up to 26 weeks (three months post-treatment)

• Ratings from 0-5 by clinical supervisors on therapist adherence to five session elements

  Up to 7 weeks (by the end of the 12th session)

• Ratings 1-7 by clinical supervisors on quality of session elements delivered by therapist

  Up to 7 weeks (by the end of the 12th session)

Study Arms (2)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant groups to receive CPT to treat PTSD

Behavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy

Waitlist Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participant groups will provide data as a control group first, and will then receive CPT to treat PTSD

Interventions

Cognitive Processing Therapy BEHAVIORAL

CPT: a type of cognitive behavioral therapy recommended for the treatment of PTSD. Delivered over 12 sessions with an emphasis on addressing trauma-related cognitions and challenging trauma-related beliefs. Includes homework assignments. For this study, CPT will be conducted in groups.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• years old or older
• meet PCL-5 criteria for current PTSD diagnosis within 2 months of enrollment
• no scheduled release date before the end of the treatment group
• able to understand the consent form as measured by the consent quiz
• have not participated in the previous CPT groups with UW project
• No active symptoms of psychosis that would interfere with the individual's ability to participate in the group
• No active suicidal ideation with intent or plan
• Able and willing to participate in group therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Wisconsin, Madison: lead
• Wisconsin Partnership Program: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Madison, Wisconsin, 53719, United States

Location

Related Publications (6)

• James, D.J. and L.E. Glaze, Mental health problems of prison and jail inmates, U.S.D.o. Justice, Editor. 2006: Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report.

  BACKGROUND

• Egeressy A, Butler T, Hunter M. 'Traumatisers or traumatised': Trauma experiences and personality characteristics of Australian prisoners. Int J Prison Health. 2009;5(4):212-22. doi: 10.1080/17449200903343209.

  PMID: 25757522 BACKGROUND

• Campbell CA, Albert I, Jarrett M, Byrne M, Roberts A, Phillip P, Huddy V, Valmaggia L. Treating Multiple Incident Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an Inner City London Prison: The Need for an Evidence Base. Behav Cogn Psychother. 2016 Jan;44(1):112-7. doi: 10.1017/S135246581500003X. Epub 2015 Feb 20.

  PMID: 25697197 BACKGROUND

• Resick, P.A., C.M. Monson, and K.M. Chard, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: A Comprehensive Manual. 2016: Guilford Press.

  BACKGROUND

• Resick PA, Nishith P, Weaver TL, Astin MC, Feuer CA. A comparison of cognitive-processing therapy with prolonged exposure and a waiting condition for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002 Aug;70(4):867-79. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.70.4.867.

  PMID: 12182270 BACKGROUND

• Morgan RD, Winterowd CL. Interpersonal process-oriented group psychotherapy with offender populations. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2002 Aug;46(4):466-82. doi: 10.1177/0306624X02464008.

  PMID: 12150085 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Michael R Koenigs, PhD

  University of Wisconsin, Madison

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants are assigned to one of two therapy-intervention groups: CPT or active waitlit control group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 20, 2022
• First Posted: June 27, 2022
• Study Start: January 4, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 30, 2026
• Study Completion: April 24, 2026
• Last Updated: April 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)