Stepped Care for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Study

Summary

Less than 20% of people with PTSD receive any treatment. This study extends a program of research by the investigator focused on developing adaptive (stepped) interventions for PTSD. The adaptive intervention sequences a digital mental health intervention (DMHI) and brief trauma- and skills-focused treatments for PTSD. The selected treatments are brief and scalable and less burdensome to systems of care. These treatments are: web-administered Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (webSTAIR), Brief STAIR, and Written Exposure Therapy (WET).

Conditions

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

webSTAIR

WebSTAIR consists of 10 online modules that provide psychoeducation on trauma and emotions and teach skills to improve coping with emotions and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Modules are completed at the participants' own pace and utilize interactive exercises, and audio and video components to aid in delivery.

BEHAVIORAL

WebSTAIR plus coaching

WebSTAIR with up to five 30-min coaching sessions with a CHW will focus on guiding participants through the program, discussing exercises that are valuable or problematic, and reviewing module content.

BEHAVIORAL

Clinician administered Brief STAIR

Brief STAIR is a brief, low intensity, therapy that utilizes psychoeducation, coping skills training, and does not include recounting of the trauma memory, making it highly tolerable. It will be delivered by mental health clinicians in five to six 30-minute individual sessions.

BEHAVIORAL

Clinician administered WET

WET is a brief, high intensity, exposure-based treatment delivered by mental health clinicians consisting of six 30-minute individual sessions that cover treatment rationale, psychoeducation about PTSD, and directing participants to write in session about their traumatic experience using scripted instructions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Boston Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sarah Valentine, PhD · Boston Medical Center, Psychiatry

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-12

Primary Completion

2029-06-30

Completion

2029-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations