A Feasibility Study of Intensive Treatment With Prolonged Exposure

A Feasibility Study of Intensive Treatment With Prolonged Exposure for Patients With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a Regular Health Care Setting

The primary objective with this study is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of intensive treatment with prolonged exposure (I-PE) in regular Swedish psychiatric care. The secondary objective is to investigate preliminary effects of i-PE in terms of reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression and increase quality of life.

The investigators will investigate I-PE delivered as a one-week intensive treatment consisting of nine individual sessions and five group sessions followed by three individual session two, four and eight weeks afterwards in a pilot trial. The feasibility and acceptability and preliminary effects of treatment- and assessment procedures will be evaluated using a within-group design with repeated measurements and qualitative interviews. The individual sessions will consist of imaginal exposure and processing and the group sessions of psychoeducation, rationale for treatment and in vivo exposure work. Recruitment is designed to be broadly inclusive with minimal exclusion criteria. Patients will be recruited from a psychiatric clinic specialised in PTSD in Stockholm, Sweden.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meet criteria for PTSD
• If taking psychotropic medication, then the dose must be stable for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry
• ≥ 18 years
• Fluent in Swedish
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other serious comorbidity as primary concern (for example ongoing substance dependence, untreated bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms, severe depression, high suicidal risk)
• Other ongoing trauma-focused psychological treatment
• Ongoing trauma-related threat (e.g. living with a violent spouse)