Early Psychological Intervention After Rape

Summary

Rape is a common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women, as around 30-50% will develop PTSD in the aftermath of rape. A modified protocol based on Prolonged Exposure Therapy (mPE), has been developed, consisting of three to five once or twice weekly 60 minutes sessions, and studies indicate that if implemented early after rape, mPE may prevent the development of PTSD. The aim of the study is to conduct a multi-site (4 Sexual assault care centers in Norway) randomized control trial (RCT) in which patients are recruited early after rape, and randomized to intervention (mPE) or treatment as usual (TAU).

Conditions

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Rape Sexual Assault
• Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
• Pelvic Floor Myalgia
• Pelvic Pain Syndrome
• Depression, Anxiety
• Sleep Disturbance
• Activity, Motor
• Cortisol Deficiency

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Modified prolonged exposure

Imaginary and in vivo expo, in addition to psychoeducation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology

  collaborator OTHER

• The Research Council of Norway

  collaborator OTHER

• Norwegian Women's Public Health Association (Norske Kvinners Sanitetsforening)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, NORCE

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• UiT The Arctic University of Norway

  collaborator OTHER

• St. Olavs Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Cecilie T Hagemann · St. Olavs Hospital

• Joar Ø Halvorsen · St. Olavs Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-06-14

Primary Completion

2026-02-07

Completion

2027-03-15

Countries

• Norway

Study Locations