Diemen

Researchers are investigating whether an intensive treatment program can effectively reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD in adults receiving treatment for the first time, while also assessing its societal cost compared to standard weekly treatment. The study focuses on adults diagnosed with PTSD stemming from multiple traumatic events and aims to understand if the intensive approach offers advantages in symptom reduction and cost-effectiveness. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups an intensive treatment group or a standard weekly treatment group. The intensive program includes two preparatory weekly sessions followed by five days of twice-daily sessions over one or two weeks, combining prolonged exposure and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapies, with two closing sessions for integration and prevention planning. The standard treatment involves weekly sessions over 13 to 16 weeks using various evidence-based therapies recommended by Dutch guidelines. Both treatments total 800 minutes of therapy, with adherence closely monitored. Throughout the study, participants will complete questionnaires and interviews at five points over nine months to assess PTSD symptoms, quality of life, mental health, treatment satisfaction, and potential harms. Key outcome measures include the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 and assessments of cost-effectiveness. The study will also evaluate secondary outcomes such as anxiety, depression, moral injury, dissociative symptoms, and cognitive function. The follow-up schedule allows researchers to monitor both immediate and longer-term effects of the treatments.