Comparing two therapies for treating PTSD
Towards Evidence-based PTSD Care in Norwegian Specialist Health Services - A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing which therapy works better for people with PTSD: eye movement desensitization and reprocessing or cognitive therapy, by giving 270 participants up to 24 weekly sessions of one of the two treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 270 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Vestre Viken Hospital Trust Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Drammen, Akershus) |
| Trial ID | NCT06691347 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of two prominent therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups and will undergo up to 24 weekly therapy sessions. The study will assess various outcomes, including PTSD symptoms, comorbid disorders, and functional improvements, using self-administered questionnaires throughout the treatment process. A total of 270 patients will be recruited from specialist health care services in Norway.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who meet the criteria for PTSD based on standardized assessments.
Not a fit: Patients with severe intellectual impairment or acute psychiatric conditions requiring immediate alternative treatment may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide evidence for the most effective therapy for PTSD, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for both EMDR and CT-PTSD, but this study aims to provide a direct comparison in a controlled setting.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age ≥18 years * meeting criteria for PTSD based on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) with a total score ≥23 Exclusion Criteria: * insufficient mastery of the Norwegian language * severe intellectual impairment (estimated IQ of 70 or less) * comorbid psychiatric illnesses in an acute phase where other types of treatment need to be prioritized (e.g. hospitalization) * history of EMDR or CT-PTSD treatment
Where this trial is running
Drammen, Akershus
- Vestre Viken Health Trust — Drammen, Akershus, Norway (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Susie Fu, Ph.D, Cand. Psychol. — Vestre Viken Health trust
- Study coordinator: Susie Fu, PhD, Cand. Psychol.
- Email: susifu@vestreviken.no
- Phone: +4790588752
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.