Trauma-Informed Goal Management Training for Individuals With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A Trial Examining the Effectiveness of a Novel, Trauma-informed Approach to Cognitive Remediation (Goal Management Training) in Individuals With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Co-morbid Conditions

Goal Management Training (GMT) is a program designed to help improve cognitive functioning. For this study, researchers have worked closely with the developers of this program to create a modified version called Trauma-Informed Goal Management Training (TI-GMT), that is more sensitive to the needs of individuals experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether this modified, Trauma-Informed Goal Management Training program is effective for individuals experiencing symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does Trauma-Informed Goal Management Training result in improved neuropsychological functioning and reductions in the severity of PTSD symptoms from baseline to post?
2. Does Trauma-Informed Goal Management Training result in self-reported improvements in cognitive functioning and the overall ability to function (including intent to return to work, and/or intent to stay at work, reductions in disability status, etc.) from baseline to post?
3. Does Trauma-Informed Goal Management Training continue to benefit individuals three months after treatment?

Participants will:

• complete three separate assessments before starting the treatment - a clinical interview to evaluate symptoms, a cognitive assessment, and completing a set of questionnaires
• participate in a nine-week group treatment program (one day a week for two hours)
• complete four separate assessments after completing the treatment - a clinical interview to evaluate symptoms, a cognitive assessment, a feedback interview, and completing a set of questionnaires
• complete three separate assessments three months after completing the treatment - a clinical interview to evaluate symptoms, a cognitive assessment, and completing a set of questionnaires

Inclusion

• Be fluent in English;
• Must reside in Ontario;
• Be able to provide written informed consent;
• Be between the ages of 18 and 65 (in order to help us generalize results);
• Meet provisional diagnosis of PTSD using a cut-off of >30 on the PCL-5, administered at the time of screening, to be corroborated with the results of the CAPS-5;
• Be able to attend regular online, 2-hour sessions once/week for 9 weeks, and be willing to complete the pre-, post-treatment, and follow-up assessments;
• Have access to a computer with a working microphone and camera, and have reliable and consistent internet;

Exclusion

• Use benzodiazepines daily or almost daily;
• Use narcotics daily or almost daily;
• Endorse alcohol/substance use symptoms on the eligibility screener that may interfere with their ability to participate in the study, to be corroborated with the results of the M.I.N.I. (to be determined by Dr. McKinnon's clinical team);
• Have a history of Moderate to Severe Brain Injury or loss of consciousness with prolonged effects that interfere with daily functioning at school, work or family unit;
• Have a history of neurological disorder that may interfere with their ability to participate in the study (to be determined by Dr. McKinnon's clinical team);
• Have a diagnosis of psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder;
• Have a diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder that may interfere with their ability to participate in the study (to be determined by Dr. McKinnon's clinical team);
• Have other conditions/impairments/considerations that could interfere with completion of study tasks (to be determined by Dr. McKinnon's clinical team)
• Have previously participated in GMT
• Be receiving treatment with anti-cholinergics, anti-psychotic medication, or psychostimulants
• Had ECT within the past year
• Are currently engaged in a trauma-specific intervention (EMDR, CPT, and PE) that may impact the findings of the current study (to be determined by Dr. McKinnon's clinical team)
• Is an active serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces