Clinical Research Directory

Recovery-oriented Group Therapy for Veteran Men With Military Sexual Trauma

VA has identified military sexual trauma (MST) as one of its highest priorities. MST is associated with increased prevalence of PTSD and depression, substance use disorders, suicide, difficulties maintaining relationships and employment, and homelessness. Yet important gender differences have been identified among MST survivors and many man may experience stigma and shame related to masculinity and sexuality. While gender-based shame appears central to MST-related distress and treatment underutilization, gender has often been overlooked in establishing evidence-based approaches, and no VA MST-related treatment has been developed specifically for men. To address this critical service gap, this study will collect data on improving treatment strategies and patient engagement for men with histories of MST. It will seek to develop strategies for enhancing a 12-session, gender-tailored group therapy for men MST survivors previously developed and implemented by the principal investigator. It will interview Veteran participants and mental health clinicians, conduct a pilot randomized trial, and evaluate feasibility within the VA, with the long-term goal of national implementation

Effect Study of SMART Treatment for Youth

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Sensory motor arousal regulation treatment (SMART) works better than treatment as usual (TAU) to treat youth 7-17 years with complex trauma histories and self-regulation difficulties. The study also will investigate which patients will benefit more from SMART (treatment effect heterogeneity) and whether therapeutic alliance mediates effect. The main hypotheses the trial aims to answer are: 1. Main effects: The SMART model approach will be more effective than ordinary treatment (control condition), in terms of improvement from therapy starts to 6 and 12 months follow up, for: 1. Regulatory capacities of emotions and bodily states, attention and behavior, and self and social relations 2. Trauma symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance/ numbness and hyperarousal and sense of threat (core PTSD symptoms) and disturbances in self-organization (affect, self-concept; relations - core complex PTSD symptoms) 3. Internalizing symptoms (somatic complaints, anxiety symptoms and depression symptom severity) and Externalizing symptoms (conduct problems, aggression, inattention, and social problem severity) 4. Psychosocial strengths - prosocial behavior, subjective well-being and impairment in peer relationships, family relationships, and academic/school functioning 2. Exploration of mediation: When comparing SMART and ordinary treatment (TAU), (i) therapeutic alliance is higher in SMART, and (ii) a better treatment effect in SMART is partially mediated by therapeutic alliance 3\. Exploration of treatment effect heterogeneity (moderators): Effects of SMART treatment compared to TAU vary between: patients with low versus high level of self-regulation difficulties (full vs partial Developmental trauma disorder), patients with extensive vs less extensive developmental trauma exposure, adolescents (13-17 years) vs younger children (7-12 years), and patients exposed to trauma early in life vs in their teens At each site, eligible participants are randomized to SMART or ordinary treatment/ TAU. Investigators acquire study data at baseline and outcome data at follow up after 6 and 12 months, and measure therapeutic alliance twice during the treatment process.

Voices of Transformation: A Deep Dive Into the Struggles and Successes of Reclaiming Sexuality After Sexual Trauma

This study aims to gain insight into the experiences of participants in the "Take Your Sexuality Back" intervention groups, evaluate the intervention's acceptability, and identify necessary modifications. This study is part of a larger project that seeks to establish a scientific basis for this innovative, group-based treatment to help women who have experienced sexual trauma heal their sexuality. Before implementing the intervention in the healthcare system and initiating a larger randomized controlled trial, the investigators will evaluate the intervention's feasibility and potential efficacy, as well as gain a more comprehensive understanding of treatment outcomes. In addition to collecting quantitative data, it is crucial to gather qualitative data on participants' experiences. In this study, data will be obtained through in-depth interviews with group participants after they complete the intervention.

A Feasibility Mixed Methods Study of the Intervention Take Your Sexuality Back for Sexually Traumatized Women.

This study looks at the potential effects of a new group treatment called "Take Your Sexuality Back", designed for women who have experienced sexual trauma. Investigators will collect information in two ways-through forms that participants fill out themselves and through ECG measurements during a stress tests. Data will be collected before the treatment, right after it, and again three months later. When all data are collected and analyzed investigators will carry out in-depth interviews with participants and explore how they felt about being tested and how they understand the results -especially if some numbers look unusual or surprising. The goal with this study is to create a strong foundation for a future larger-scale study of the treatment by testing the methods, estimating the size of possible effects and identify outcome measurements that are experienced as meaningful to the participants.