What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for PTSD, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and related psychotherapies, generally have minimal physical side effects but may cause emotional discomfort as patients confront traumatic memories. Pharmacological treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can cause side effects including nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and increased anxiety. It's important for patients to discuss these potential side effects with their healthcare provider to manage and mitigate them effectively.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several treatments for PTSD, primarily focusing on medications and psychotherapies. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline and paroxetine are FDA-approved for PTSD and help manage symptoms by regulating mood. Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT), including exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy (CPT), are also widely recognized and supported for their efficacy in treating PTSD. These therapies aim to improve emotional regulation and resilience, similar to the goals of Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST). While ERST itself is not an FDA-approved treatment, its focus on mental health training to enhance emotional resilience aligns with the principles of these established therapies.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST) for PTSD patients include: 1) Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy (MBET), which has shown efficacy in reducing PTSD symptoms and altering brain responses in combat veterans. 2) Memory Specificity Training (MEST), which has been effective in improving PTSD symptoms by enhancing the ability to generate specific memories. 3) Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy for Military (ERRT-M), which has demonstrated preliminary efficacy in treating trauma-related nightmares and PTSD symptoms.

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Emotional Resilience Training for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By R. Nicholas Carleton, PhD

Research Sponsored by University of Regina

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up time 2 (post-training; week 13), time 3 (1-year follow-up; week 65)

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial aims to help public safety personnel, like firefighters and police officers, manage stress and prevent trauma-related injuries through a special training program. The program teaches skills to handle emotions and stress, with periodic assessments to track progress. The goal is to improve mental health and resilience for these workers.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for Canadian public safety personnel like firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and communicators who've been in service for at least 3 years. They must be fluent in English or French and have internet access. Those with performance issues, psychosis, mania, high suicide risk or recent attempts, drug/alcohol addiction or against mental health care cannot join.

What is being tested?

The study tests Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST), a program based on the Unified Protocol for emotional disorders but tailored for public safety workers to prevent stress injuries including PTSD.

What are the potential side effects?

Since ERST involves psychological training rather than medication, typical medical side effects are not expected. However, discussing traumatic experiences could potentially cause temporary discomfort or emotional distress.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ time 2 (post-training; week 13), time 3 (1-year follow-up; week 65)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~time 2 (post-training; week 13), time 3 (1-year follow-up; week 65)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and time 2 (post-training; week 13), time 3 (1-year follow-up; week 65) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Anxiety Disorders

Change in Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms from Time 1 (pre-training; week 1) to Time 2 (post-training; week 13)

Change in Panic Disorder Symptoms from Time 1 (pre-training; week 1) to Time 2 (post-training; week 13)

+5 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

The Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to cultivate constructive approach-oriented emotional engagement. The 13-week Emotional Resilience Training (ERST) is an adaptation of the UP designed for use as a proactive training course. The ERST frames emotional experiences as natural responses to threat, rather than pathological occurrences to avoid; as such, the ERST is well-suited for mitigating health challenges and the skills may also help PSP to support persons in distress, including other PSP and the community members they all serve. The ERST training materials include an instructor guide, didactic PowerPoints, and a trainee workbook.

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Trauma-focused CBT helps patients process and reframe their traumatic experiences, reducing the emotional impact and altering maladaptive thought patterns. Exposure therapy involves gradual, controlled exposure to trauma-related stimuli, helping patients desensitize and reduce avoidance behaviors. SSRIs, such as sertraline, work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety. Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST) aims to enhance emotional regulation and resilience, similar to CBT, by equipping individuals with skills to manage stress and emotional responses to trauma. These treatments are crucial for PTSD patients as they address both the psychological and physiological aspects of the disorder, promoting recovery and improving quality of life.

Emotion dysregulation and heart rate variability improve in US veterans undergoing treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: Secondary exploratory analyses from a randomised controlled trial.Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current State, Challenges and Future Directions.A pilot randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral treatment for trauma-related nightmares in active duty military personnel.