First-Line Intervention for PTSD - Intensive Treatment

(Cost)-Effectiveness of Intensive Trauma-Focused Treatment Versus Spaced Trauma-Focused Treatment As First Line Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Adults with Multiple Trauma Exposure: Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an intensive program can treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults getting treatment for the first time, and whether it has lower societal costs. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does an intensive program reduce PTSD symptoms?
• How expensive is it on a societal level? Researchers will compare the intensive program to the standard weekly treatment to see if the intensive program works to treat PTSD.

Participants will:

• Get 5 days of intensive treatment in two weeks (with two preparatory and closing sessions), or weekly sessions
• Get questionnaires and interviews 5 times in 9 months

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older
• PTSD diagnosis according to DSM-5 (CAPS-5);
• PTSD diagnosis stemming from 2 or more potentially traumatic events (PTEs)
• seeking first-time treatment for PTSD (or less than 8 sessions);
• employed (working or on sick leave for less than two years)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current psychotic disorder, severe alcohol or substance use disorder, high suicidal intent (MINI-S for DSM-5) and a concrete suicide plan, or severe aggressive behavior that poses danger for others
• insufficient command of the Dutch language to be able to complete the assessments. This will be determined through clinical judgment at intake.