Improving PTSD Treatment by Adding a Writing Intervention to Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether adding an intervention called Adjunctive Writing to Amplify Response and Engagement AWARE can improve outcomes for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD receiving established therapies. The study focuses on two effective treatments for PTSD cognitive processing therapy CPT and prolonged exposure PE. AWARE is designed to enhance communication between patients and therapists about treatment experiences, potentially leading to better treatment results. The study includes a first phase to pilot test AWARE with a small group and a second phase as a randomized controlled trial comparing AWARE-enhanced therapy to standard therapy without AWARE. Participants will receive either CPT or PE, choosing their preferred therapy, delivered in 8 to 15 weekly sessions. In the first phase, four adults will receive CPT or PE with the AWARE writing intervention, which involves brief writing tasks about treatment experiences and guided therapist discussions. In the second phase, 50 adults will be randomly assigned to receive either CPTPE with AWARE or CPTPE as usual. The study aims to assess how acceptable and feasible AWARE is, and whether it improves communication and treatment outcomes compared to usual care. Throughout the study, participants will be evaluated immediately after treatment and three months later. Researchers will measure patient-provider communication, PTSD symptoms, therapy adherence and competence, client satisfaction, therapeutic alliance, treatment completion, depression, and functional impairment. Assessments include standardized interviews and questionnaires. This study is expected to last until December 2028, with Boston University leading the research.

Enhancing PTSD Treatment Outcomes by Improving Patient-Provider Communication