To Observe the Psychophysiological Alterations in Traumatic Stress Subjects

Effects of the Guided Disclosure Protocol on Post-Traumatic Growth: A Randomized Control Trial Designed to Observe Psychophysiological Alterations in Traumatic Stress Subjects

This Multicenter study is planned to investigate the effectiveness of the guided disclosure protocol for the promotion of post-traumatic growth (PTG), in the traumatic stress subjects and to determine whether PTG is associated with psychophysiological alterations i.e. (C-Reactive Protein, Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, Interlukin-6, Cortisol, Heart Rate Variability and brain waves). Study subjects meeting eligibility criteria will be randomized into two groups. Guided disclosure protocol (GDP) will be used as intervention vs the control. Blinded treatment will be provided and the subjects will be made to complete study questionnaires (Screening, Traumatic Stress Scale SSS, Trauma Symptom Checklist, Post-traumatic growth Inventory) at baseline and at post-intervention (3-months later).

Study design:

The study will be conducted as multicenter randomized controlled trial. On the basis of eligibility criteria subjects providing consent to participate in the study will be randomized into two groups, experimental group including those who receive the intervention and a control group receiving control intervention. The study outcomes will be monitored in subjects of both groups at different intervals i.e. at baseline and at 3-month follow-up (post-interventional).

Participants Subjects for the present study will be recruited from 5 centers (based in Karachi, Pakistan). The targeted population includes subjects from diverse ethnicity and considered eligible for participation in the study if they indicated in a pre-screening form that they had experienced traumatic event. These subjects will be invited to participate in the study through advertisement on notice board of each center. A written informed consent will be obtained from each study subject after providing detailed information regarding objectives of the study and its duration.

Interventions

The experimental intervention (GDP):

It includes three writing sessions of 20 minutes where the participants will be made to recall the facts regarding the traumatic event first and then the emotions triggered related to the revealed facts will be channelized. The information related to the immediate priority changes due to the revival of the traumatic history and its reflection on current feelings will be collected. Moreover, the learned coping mechanisms will also be inquired and how the traumatic event altered their vision and their personalities and how it helps in coping with future difficulties.

The original instructions will be translated into local language and altered according to the specific traumatic experience.

In the following, a fusion of the tasks concerning each of the three writing sessions is shown.

1. Participants will be required to describe memories associated with traumatic event in a sequential order, with an objective and detached attitude

2. They will be asked to describe

   1. Their opinion regarding the traumatic event and emotions perceived during the experience
   2. Its impact on their daily lives, and how it has altered their attitudes toward life.

3. The actual situation will be focused, while reviving the whole traumatic event experience which aids in exploring the following aspects:

   • Present thoughts and feelings regarding the traumatic experience, and also clarify the differences between the ones felt at the time of traumatic event in comparison to the current feelings.
   • How much they understand and appreciate themselves for successfully dealing with the traumatic event
   • To what extent the traumatic event has modified their vision, attitude, knowledge, and skills, and how it can help in their future;
   • What will be their future reactions to other similar events. For the writing session it is mandatory to maintain standard experimental environment with maximum silence so that the subject can write peacefully without getting disturbed. Two weeks after the initial assessment, the first writing session will be performed followed by two sessions once every 2 weeks.

The control intervention:

In control intervention the subjects will be required to take three 20-minute writing sessions, in which they will be asked to write about their daily events of the past week, the writing must focus on the facts and highlight an objective and detached attitude. It has shown potential improvements after the guided disclosure protocol (GDP). Works through the placebo effect. Same protocol will be followed for these subjects as the one used for GDP.

A day prior to each writing session, in both conditions either experimental or control the researcher will communicate with each study subject via telephone in order to give them a reminder to perform the writing task and to check their understanding regarding the instructions given in the booklet. Details regarding the inability to contact the subject will also be recorded in the patient form.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Must be disease free, there must be no evidence of any metastatic disease
2. Property of written and spoken the English language.
3. Experienced any traumatic event in the last 12 Months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects who received a structured psychological intervention for at least 6 months during the last 3 years performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist will be excluded.
2. Those with a codified psychiatric disorder (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) who received Psychopharmacological treatment during the last 3 years will also be excluded from the study sample.