Brief Prolonged Exposure Therapy Versus Clinical Standard to Reduce Posttraumatic Stress Post Spinal Cord Injury

Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress: A RCT of Modified Brief Prolonged Exposure Therapy (Brief PE) During Inpatient Rehabilitation Post Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

This study will examine the use brief prolonged exposure (Brief PE) therapy compared to standard clinical care to reduce posttraumatic distress among people who have had a spinal cord injury and are receiving rehabilitation in an inpatient setting.

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of brief Prolonged Exposure Therapy (Brief PE) delivered in an inpatient rehabilitation setting post-SCI to reduce PTSD symptoms. The overall goal of this project is to test a Brief PE (three 60-minute sessions) to reduce psychological distress after SCI and to mitigate long-term post-SCI distress including PTSD as well as secondary health outcomes (including depression and general anxiety) at 1, 3, and 6 months from baseline. The intervention group (Brief PE) will be compared to standard clinical care with treatment as usual (TAU).

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation hospital diagnosed with a SCI following a traumatic event

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients in police custody
• Not fluent in the English language
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Patients who are acutely suicidal
• Patients with active psychosis