The Effectiveness of a Brief Early Intervention of Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization Protocol for Victims of Sexual Violence (ASSYST-SV).

Summary

TThe main objectives of this research project are twofold: (1) to conduct a narrative review of the scientific literature on the efficacy and effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing acute post-traumatic stress symptoms in survivors of sexual violence, and to provide a solid theoretical framework on the consequences of sexual victimization and the use of EMDR interventions in this population; and (2) to develop and test an adapted version of the ASSYST protocol of Jarero´s team for survivors of sexual violence (ASSYST-SV), evaluating its effectiveness and feasibility in reducing acute stress symptoms in women who have experienced sexual violence.

This is an exploratory quasi-experimental study with a single-group pre-post design and follow-up assessments. The intervention will be delivered to women receiving care in specialized services for survivors of gender-based violence in Catalonia and Madrid. Assessments will be conducted at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Data will be collected through a combination of clinician-administered and self-report questionnaires.

This trial is part of a larger research project (NCT05619822) that includes several related studies. Each study addresses a specific population and/or intervention, but all share the overarching aim of examining the efficacy of a comprehensive third-generation protocol for individuals with comorbid trauma and other mental health conditions.

Conditions

• Acute Stress Symptoms
• Sexual Violence

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral - ASSYST-VS Protocol

The ASSYST-SV protocol consists of three sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes, ideally delivered once per week over a three-week period. The intervention includes: Session 1: Psychoeducation: Explanation of typical responses to sexual trauma, providing information about the recovery process, and establishing a strong therapeutic alliance between the client and therapist. Sessions 1-3: Emotional self-regulation using trauma-sensitive yoga exercises adapted for survivors of sexual violence. Sessions 2-3: Trauma desensitization using EMDR-informed techniques, including bilateral stimulation and self-applied tools such as the Butterfly Hug. Safety procedures and closure are included in all sessions to ensure emotional containment and promote participant well-being. The intervention is delivered by trained professionals in specialized support services for victims of gender-based violence.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• EMDR Europe

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Universidad Complutense de Madrid

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Carmen Valiente, Full Porfessor · Universidad Complutense de Madrid

• Yolanda Ballesteros Gonzalez, PhD student · Universidad Complutense de Madrid

• Regina Espinosa, Full Porfessor · Camilo Jose Cela University

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-01

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2027-12-31

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations