Overview
This study will examine the use brief prolonged exposure (Brief PE) therapy compared to standard clinical care to reduce posttraumatic distress among people who have had a spinal cord injury and are receiving rehabilitation in an inpatient setting.
Description
This is a prospective randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of brief Prolonged Exposure Therapy (Brief PE) delivered in an inpatient rehabilitation setting post-SCI to reduce PTSD symptoms. The overall goal of this project is to test a Brief PE (three 60-minute sessions) to reduce psychological distress after SCI and to mitigate long-term post-SCI distress including PTSD as well as secondary health outcomes (including depression and general anxiety) at 1, 3, and 6 months from baseline. The intervention group (Brief PE) will be compared to standard clinical care with treatment as usual (TAU).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years of age or older
- Admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation hospital diagnosed with a SCI following a traumatic event
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients in police custody
- Not fluent in the English language
- Severe cognitive impairment
- Patients who are acutely suicidal
- Patients with active psychosis