Behavioral Treatments for Acute Stress Disorder In Firefighters

NCT ID: NCT00183508

Last Updated: 2015-12-14

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

169 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Completion Date

2009-05-31

Brief Summary

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This study will develop a treatment for firefighters experiencing symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD). Effective treatments may reduce immediate symptoms and prevent the development of more chronic conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Detailed Description

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Exposure to traumatic events has reached unprecedented proportions in American society, and the rates of PTSD have risen significantly, particularly among populations with repetitive exposure to critical incidents. The continued threat of attacks against Americans warrants development of preventive interventions to reduce the occurrence of PTSD and its precursor, ASD. This study will determine the effectiveness of a preventive treatment in urban firefighters who have experienced a traumatic event.

Firefighters will undergo an initial assessment that will include an interview and self-report questionnaires to measure depression, anxiety, coping skills, social support, physical health, and work functioning. Following the occurrence of a traumatic work-related event, firefighters will be reassessed. The post-incident assessment will consist of self-report questionnaires that assess ASD symptoms.

Participants who display ASD symptoms will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the first group will learn cognitive behavioral strategies for symptom reduction, and the second group will receive psychoeducation regarding common reactions to traumatic events. Participants' treatment will last for 12 weeks. Participants will have follow-up assessments 1 and 3 months after the interventional part of the study. Assessments will include clinical scales and interviews.

Conditions

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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Keywords

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PTSD Occupational Health Trauma Job CBT

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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1 Cognitive behavioral therapy

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will learn cognitive behavioral strategies for symptom reduction

2 Psychoeducation

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Psychoeducation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive psychoeducation regarding common reactions to traumatic events

Interventions

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Cognitive behavioral therapy

Participants will learn cognitive behavioral strategies for symptom reduction

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation

Participants will receive psychoeducation regarding common reactions to traumatic events

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Currently an active duty, nonofficer member of a Boston area fire department
* Willing and able to comply with all study requirements

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnancy or plan to become pregnant during the study
* Plan to relocate within 2 months of study entry
* Psychotic symptoms within 30 days prior to study entry
* Experiencing severe depression at study entry OR having suicidal thoughts within 30 days prior to study entry
* Evidence of severe organic impairment that would interfere with participation in the study
* Current alcohol or substance dependence
* Currently awaiting outcome of a court case involving exposure to traumatic events through the fire department
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Boston University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Boston Veterans Healthcare System

Principal Investigators

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Rose T. Zimering, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Boston Veterans Healthcare System

Locations

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Boston Veterans Healthcare System

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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R21MH064584

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

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DATR AD-TS

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

R21MH064584

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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