Feasibility and Efficacy of GTEP for Birth Trauma

NCT ID: NCT07246356

Last Updated: 2025-11-24

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

10 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-19

Study Completion Date

2026-03-31

Brief Summary

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This clinical study aims to evaluate the feasibility and initial efficacy of Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (GTEP) for reducing trauma symptoms (measured by the PCL-5 and City BiTS) for individuals following a traumatic birthing experience. A secondary aim is to evaluate the efficacy of GTEP in improving parental wellbeing (measured through the CORE-10) and parent-infant bonding (measured through the PBQ) following a traumatic birthing experience.

Participants (those who have experienced a traumatic birthing experience) will complete the GTEP intervention, delivered online. They will be asked to complete outcome measures and give feedback on their experience of the group.

Detailed Description

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It is estimated that up to 15.7% of individuals will experience some trauma symptoms following childbirth, with 4-6% developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Research has found there to be an increased risk of postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis and anxiety following a complicated or traumatic childbirth, along with reduced parent-infant bonding at 1, 6 and 12-months postpartum. Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (GTEP) is a version of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to be used in group settings. There is a growing evidence base for the efficacy of GTEP in other populations and it has been found to reduce trauma symptoms in a refugee population, adult cancer patients and healthcare professionals . However, there is no research to date exploring the feasibility and efficacy of GTEP for trauma symptoms related to birth.

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of GTEP for reducing trauma symptoms (measured by the PCL-5 and City BiTS) for individuals following a traumatic birthing experience. Feasibility / acceptability will be evaluated using structured measures, along with open-ended qualitative questions. The facilitators of the group will also be administered these measures and asked for qualitative feedback about their experience of facilitating the group.

A secondary aim is to evaluate the efficacy of GTEP in improving parental wellbeing (measured through the CORE-10) and parent-infant bonding (measured through the PBQ) following a traumatic birthing experience

The GTEP Intervention (for use in this study):

The intervention will involve a total of 8 sessions:

* Session 1: a home visit to gain consent, determine full eligibility and complete outcome measures.
* Sessions 2 - 7: 6 online GTEP sessions, conducted via Zoom, which will happen weekly. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes.
* Session 8: A post-group follow-up, either face-to-face or over the telephone, to discuss experiences of the group, discuss any onward referrals (as required), complete final outcome measures.

Study Design:

This study will use a pre-post design, with outcome measure questionnaires (CORE-10, City BiTS, PBQ) completed at two time points (before and after the GTEP intervention). In addition, the primary outcome measure of the PCL-5, will be administered at 8 time points (i.e., during the pre-intervention home visit, before sessions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and during the post-intervention follow-up).

A study feasibility measure will also be administered to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention for this population. This will be administered to both client participants and the group facilitators, where appropriate. Qualitative feedback will also be gathered.

Participants:

Participants will be recruited via the Black Country Perinatal Mental Health Service (BCPMHS) who are self-reporting trauma symptoms related to a traumatic birthing experience within the last 18 months.

Data Analysis:

Data will be analysed at the University of Birmingham. Quantitative data analysis will include a pre-and-post-intervention comparison scores at both an individual (using a Reliable Change Index) and a group level (using either a bootstrapped paired samples t-test or a matched-pairs Wilcoxon). Descriptive statistics will also be used where appropriate.

Qualitative analysis may be conducted related to the feasibility questions outlined above.

Conditions

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PTSD (Childbirth-Related) Psychological Wellbeing Bonding

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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GTEP

Participants will receive the GTEP intervention, delivered online.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (GTEP)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

GTEP is a group version of the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP), a form of EMDR.

The GTEP intervention will involve 2 sessions focusing on preparation (e.g., through grounding and emotional regulation) followed by 4 processing sessions.

Interventions

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Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (GTEP)

GTEP is a group version of the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP), a form of EMDR.

The GTEP intervention will involve 2 sessions focusing on preparation (e.g., through grounding and emotional regulation) followed by 4 processing sessions.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged between 18-65 years.
* Currently under the Black Country Perinatal Mental Health Service
* Experiencing self-reported trauma symptoms related to a birthing experience within the last 18 months (this includes the birth itself, the postnatal hospital stay, and/or any neonatal admissions).
* Access to technology (e.g., laptop, internet connection) to be able to access the online group.
* Access to a confidential space within their home, and childcare for their baby/any other existing children.
* Proficient levels of English Language to engage with the group.
* Ability to engage in group therapy based on clinical presentation.
* Capacity to consent to engage in the GTEP group and research study.

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnant people
* Women/birthing people whose baby is no longer under their care.
* Severe and enduring mental health presentations (i.e., diagnosis of bipolar, psychosis and/or schizophrenia.
* Significant sensory impairment (e.g., needing a British Sign Language interpreter).
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Birmingham

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Rachel Strachan, Study Principal Investigator

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Alice Welham, Study Co-Investigator

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

University of Birmingham

Locations

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Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Wolverhampton, , United Kingdom

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United Kingdom

Central Contacts

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Grace E Rodgers, Study Chief Investigator

Role: CONTACT

Rachel Strachan, Study Principal Investigator

Role: CONTACT

Facility Contacts

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Julie Fletcher, Research and Innovation

Role: primary

+44 01902 446724

References

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Roberts, A. K. P. (2018). The effects of the EMDR group traumatic episode protocol with cancer survivors. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 12(3), 105-117. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.12.3.105

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Ertan D, Hingray C, Burlacu E, Sterle A, El-Hage W. Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth. BMC Psychiatry. 2021 Mar 16;21(1):155. doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03158-6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33726703 (View on PubMed)

Kjerulff KH, Attanasio LB, Sznajder KK, Brubaker LH. A prospective cohort study of post-traumatic stress disorder and maternal-infant bonding after first childbirth. J Psychosom Res. 2021 May;144:110424. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110424. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33756149 (View on PubMed)

Yurtsever A, Konuk E, Akyuz T, Zat Z, Tukel F, Cetinkaya M, Savran C, Shapiro E. An Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Group Intervention for Syrian Refugees With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychol. 2018 Jun 12;9:493. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00493. eCollection 2018.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29946275 (View on PubMed)

Tsouvelas, G., Chondrokouki, M., Nikolaidis, G., & Shapiro, E. (2019). A vicarious trauma preventive approach. The Group Traumatic Episode Protocol EMDR and workplace affect in professionals who work with child abuse and neglect. 2, 130-138. https://doi.org/10.26386/obrela.v2i3.123

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Farrell D, Moran J, Zat Z, Miller PW, Knibbs L, Papanikolopoulos P, Prattos T, McGowan I, McLaughlin D, Barron I, Matthess C, Kiernan MD. Group early intervention eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy as a video-conference psychotherapy with frontline/emergency workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury-An RCT study. Front Psychol. 2023 Mar 23;14:1129912. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1129912. eCollection 2023.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37063579 (View on PubMed)

Pink, J., Ghomi, M., Smart, T., & Richardson, T. (2022). Effects of EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol on Burnout Within IAPT Healthcare Professionals: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 16(4), 215-227. https://doi.org/10.1891/EMDR-2022-0029

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Barkham, M., Bewick, B., Mullin, T., Gilbody, S., Connell, J., Cahill, J., Mellor-Clark, J., Richards, D., Unsworth, G., & Evans, C. (2013). The CORE-10: A short measure of psychological distress for routine use in the psychological therapies. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 13, 3-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733145.2012.729069

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Brockington, I. F., Oates, J., George, S., Turner, D., Vostanis, P., Sullivan, M., Loh, C., & Murdoch, C. (2001). A Screening Questionnaire for mother-infant bonding disorders. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 3(4), 133-140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s007370170010

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Ayers S, Wright DB, Thornton A. Development of a Measure of Postpartum PTSD: The City Birth Trauma Scale. Front Psychiatry. 2018 Sep 18;9:409. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00409. eCollection 2018.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30279664 (View on PubMed)

Blevins CA, Weathers FW, Davis MT, Witte TK, Domino JL. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation. J Trauma Stress. 2015 Dec;28(6):489-98. doi: 10.1002/jts.22059. Epub 2015 Nov 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26606250 (View on PubMed)

Weiner BJ, Lewis CC, Stanick C, Powell BJ, Dorsey CN, Clary AS, Boynton MH, Halko H. Psychometric assessment of three newly developed implementation outcome measures. Implement Sci. 2017 Aug 29;12(1):108. doi: 10.1186/s13012-017-0635-3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28851459 (View on PubMed)

Shapiro, E (2013). "The EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol." Presentation to the EMDR Turkey Conference, Istanbul, Turkey.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Shapiro, E., & Laub, B. (2008). Early EMDR Intervention (EEI): A Summary, a Theoretical Model, and the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP). Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(2), 79-96. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.2.2.79

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form: Facilitator consent form

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form: Participant consent form

View Document

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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341922

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

RG_24-029

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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