Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
NA
120 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2024-01-04
2026-04-30
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
The primary objectives of this project include:
1. Determine the effectiveness of CPT in reducing PTSD symptom severity;
2. Identify putative psychological mechanisms of response to CPT through pre-, mid-, and post-intervention measures of PTSD symptom severity as well as measures of hopelessness, self-blame, and negative self-related thoughts.
Prior to beginning any study procedures, informed consent will be obtained orally and in writing. During the informed consent process, eligible participants will be provided with detailed information about the study, including their right to refuse or discontinue participation at any time and the fact that their decision to participate or decline will have no bearing on their standing within the criminal justice system.
Potential participants will be contacted by calling them over the phone system within the prison. When they arrive to the private testing room, they are asked if they would like to learn about the study and potentially participate. If so, participants undergo consent.
Eligible participants will complete the PCL-5 to ascertain current PTSD symptomology and probable diagnosis. This assessment will take approximately 90 minutes.
Participants will be randomly assigned to the CPT or the active control groups. The CPT group will engage in 10 to 12, 90-minute treatment sessions (up to 18 hours total). With the optional opportunity to take 15-20 minutes after each session to de-stress and calm down if necessary. These sessions will take place over 6 to 12 weeks, depending on session frequency. CPT group-members are also asked to complete weekly homework (approximately 12 hours total). A maximum of 10 participants, but no less than 3 will be included in each CPT group. When the waitlist control group reaches the treatment phase, if the participant count fall below 3, additional participants will be enrolled to maintain sufficient numbers. Data collection during treatment will mirror that of the active waitlist control group. Participants will be notified via institutional mail which group they have been enrolled in.
In addition to the treatment groups, CPT and control group members will complete a PCL-5 at the beginning of each session. As well as, pre-treatment testing session two weeks prior to the start of treatment. After treatment session 5, CPT and control group members will complete mid-treatment testing assessments. Participants will be called down individually to complete these assessments in a private room with a research assistant after completing the 5th therapy session, but before completing the 8th therapy session. CPT and control group members will then complete post-treatment testing within one week after completing week 6 of treatment. One month after the treatment is completed, CPT and control group members will complete follow-up testing and interviewing about their experience in the treatment groups and will have one follow up CPT session 6-8 weeks post-treatment. Post-treatment and one-month follow up-testing will follow the same procedure as pre-treatment and mid-treatment testing. Final follow-up will occur three months after the end of treatment. Procedures will be the same as other timepoint follow-ups. CPT and control group members will be asked to complete 18 sessions in total (pre-treatment, mid- treatment, post- treatment, one-month follow up-testing, three-month follow-up treatment, 12 group sessions and one follow-up CPT session).
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Keywords
Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
DOUBLE
Study Groups
Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) group
Participant groups to receive CPT to treat PTSD
Cognitive Processing Therapy
CPT: a type of cognitive behavioral therapy recommended for the treatment of PTSD. Delivered over 12 sessions with an emphasis on addressing trauma-related cognitions and challenging trauma-related beliefs. Includes homework assignments. For this study, CPT will be conducted in groups.
Waitlist Control
Participant groups will provide data as a control group first, and will then receive CPT to treat PTSD
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
CPT: a type of cognitive behavioral therapy recommended for the treatment of PTSD. Delivered over 12 sessions with an emphasis on addressing trauma-related cognitions and challenging trauma-related beliefs. Includes homework assignments. For this study, CPT will be conducted in groups.
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
* meet PCL-5 criteria for current PTSD diagnosis within 2 months of enrollment
* no scheduled release date before the end of the treatment group
* able to understand the consent form as measured by the consent quiz
* have not participated in the previous CPT groups with UW project
* No active symptoms of psychosis that would interfere with the individual's ability to participate in the group
* No active suicidal ideation with intent or plan
* Able and willing to participate in group therapy
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
Wisconsin Partnership Program
OTHER
University of Wisconsin, Madison
OTHER
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
Principal Investigators
Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.
Michael R Koenigs, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Locations
Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.
Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Countries
Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.
References
Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.
James, D.J. and L.E. Glaze, Mental health problems of prison and jail inmates, U.S.D.o. Justice, Editor. 2006: Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report.
Egeressy A, Butler T, Hunter M. 'Traumatisers or traumatised': Trauma experiences and personality characteristics of Australian prisoners. Int J Prison Health. 2009;5(4):212-22. doi: 10.1080/17449200903343209.
Campbell CA, Albert I, Jarrett M, Byrne M, Roberts A, Phillip P, Huddy V, Valmaggia L. Treating Multiple Incident Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an Inner City London Prison: The Need for an Evidence Base. Behav Cogn Psychother. 2016 Jan;44(1):112-7. doi: 10.1017/S135246581500003X. Epub 2015 Feb 20.
Resick, P.A., C.M. Monson, and K.M. Chard, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: A Comprehensive Manual. 2016: Guilford Press.
Resick PA, Nishith P, Weaver TL, Astin MC, Feuer CA. A comparison of cognitive-processing therapy with prolonged exposure and a waiting condition for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002 Aug;70(4):867-79. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.70.4.867.
Morgan RD, Winterowd CL. Interpersonal process-oriented group psychotherapy with offender populations. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2002 Aug;46(4):466-82. doi: 10.1177/0306624X02464008.
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
A538900
Identifier Type: OTHER
Identifier Source: secondary_id
Protocol Version 5/21/2025
Identifier Type: OTHER
Identifier Source: secondary_id
2018-0630: WPP
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id