“An Investigation into the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”
Researchers at SwinburneUniversity & the University of Melbourne are currently conducting a study looking into the nature and treatment of trauma. The purpose of this study is to look at the effectiveness of two interventions and the mechanisms associated with treatment change. Both interventions are ‘active’ treatments and have been found in the past to be very productive in decreasing distress and associated problems that can be left following a traumatic event. Both treatments have returned very similar success rates in the past, and this research will compare the two directly when administered by trained therapists. If at the end of the research one treatment is found to be significantly more effective than the other, the more effective treatment will be offered to those who did not receive it. No waiting lists, placebos, group therapy or medications will be used.
If you agree to participate, you will initially be seen for an assessment interview, during which you will be asked about how your experiences as a victim of trauma are affecting you now. At this time you will also be asked to complete some questionnaires that help in assessing this. This will allow us to see whether the treatment offered through this study will be appropriate and beneficial for you (see over the page). If this treatment is not appropriate then you will be referred to another counsellor for therapy. If have what is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (as assessed in the initial interview) and you agree to take part in this research you will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment conditions.
You will be seen at the University of Melbourne (Department of Criminology) once a week for approximately ten weeks, during which time you will be treated with regard to the past traumatic event(s). All therapists in this research have been specially trained in the treatment techniques. Treatment sessions are all individually provided (i.e. no group therapy), will be free of charge, and will range from one to two hours each in duration. During therapy you will be asked whether you would allow the therapist to be video taped for quality assurance purposes and asked to sign a consent form. However, this is not compulsory and whether you agree to this or not will have no effect on your treatment. We would also like to measure you heart rate during the treatment sessions to help us gauge your progress during treatment – this will be done with your consent using an unobtrusive and pain free clip attached to one of your fingers. Again this is not compulsory and whether you agree to this or not will not have an effect on your treatment. You will be reassessed following treatment and again after three months to assess the benefit of treatment over time.
The information that you give is kept confidential and only the researchers will have access to any data relating to you. Once all data has been obtained and all offered treatment complete your individual file will be encrypted so that no-one (not even the researchers) can cross-reference participants’ names with individual results. You are free to withdraw from this research at any time and an appropriate referral can be made at the end of the research at your request.
This study has been cleared by the human ethics committee of the University of Melbourne and the Department of Justice Research Ethics Committee. Should you wish to discuss your participation in this study please contact the research director (Prof.. Grant Devilly, Tel: (03) 92145920). If you would like to speak to an officer of the University of Melbourne or Department of Justice who is not involved in the study, you may contact the Executive Officer, Human Research Ethics at the University of Melbourne on Tel: (03) 8344 7507, Fax: (03) 9347 6739; or the Department of Justice on Tel: (03) 9651 6920.
To take part or for inquiries telephone the Trauma Research group on (03) 8344 9457.
Have You Been Suffering From Post-Trauma Reactions?
This research is aimed at providing treatment to people who have suffered the long term effects of exposure to a traumatic situation. Below is a list of questions (1 to 5). If your answers are “yes” to each then you are eligible to be assessed for the research treatment:
1)Have you been exposed to a trauma during which you experienced a sense of fear, helplessness or horror?
2)Have you had difficulties as a result of this which have been interfering with your happiness or normal activities (or activities you used to enjoy and engage in before the trauma)?
3)Was this more than 1 month and less than 5 years ago?
4)Are you over the age of 17 years old?
5)Are you able to come to the Department of Criminology, University of Melbourne (Queensberry Street, Carlton) for weekly treatment?
Following a trauma people can sometimes lose their faith in a safe or just world. Due to this and other reasons, emotional problems can develop which, left untreated, can become chronic in nature. Have you experienced any of the problems in the below list:
reminders of the event causing you distress?
desperately trying to avoid reminders of the event?
difficulty putting it out of your mind?
nightmares and sleep difficulties?
a feeling of detachment from your friends and family?
feeling as though the event were about to happen again?
feeling jumpy or on-edge?
being easily startled?
feeling sad or blue since the event?
If you have been getting even just some of these problems then you may benefit from the treatment explained on the other side of this information sheet.
To take part or for inquiries telephone the Trauma Research group on (03) 8344 9457.