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Self-Help Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)/Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) Study

Augmenting Cognitive Processing Therapy With a Peer Led Support Intervention to Improve Well-Being: A Sustainable and Scalable Model for Enhancing PTSD Recovery in Vulnerable Populations

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years and older
Sex
Female only
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Procedures mentioned: Questionnaires, Interviews

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Patient participants will be asked to complete three major assessments (baseline, post-treatment, three month follow up) that consist of a structured interview and questionnaire."
  • "Participants will also be asked to complete weekly surveys that will help monitor ongoing progress engagement with the intervention."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests self-help Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a treatment that helps people work through thoughts about trauma, with or without a peer support program. It is for women who served in the U.S. military and have PTSD or some PTSD symptoms. Researchers want to learn whether it eases symptoms and improves mental well-being.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have significant impairment on aspects of mental well-being (MWB) including functioning, loneliness, physical health, and quality of life. There are several evidence-based treatments (EBPs) effective in treating PTSD such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been proven effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. However, there are several barriers (e.g., lack of providers, waitlists, costs, stigma, disabilities that complicate travel) that can prevent someone from engaging with these treatments. Recently, a self-help version of CPT was created to help address these barriers; but little research has been conducted to test its efficacy. Further, less is know about how a peer support program may augment improvements from participating in an EBP. The Women Veteran Network (WoVeN), a peer support program designed for women veterans, has a manualized 8-week program that directly targets MWB. It has been found to help foster belongingness and connectedness, particularly in those suffering from PTSD and depression. The present study aims to establish the feasibility, acceptability and tolerability of a scalable, sustainable, and effective treatment option for trauma survivors with subthreshold or full PTSD. The overarching goal is to understand the effectiveness of a self-help version of an EBP (either alone or in combination with a peer support program) in reducing PTSD symptoms while also helping improve mental well-being, reduce barriers, and increase access to quality care within health disparity populations.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Identify as a woman.
  • Have served in the U.S. military.
  • Have a PTSD diagnosis, or meet the requirements for 2 of the 4 groups of PTSD symptoms.
  • Read English well enough to fill out study questionnaires.

Who can't join

  • A clinician decides self-help PTSD care is not right for you—for example, because of a recent mental health hospital stay, a need for detox care, unstable behavior, or current suicide risk.
  • Have current psychosis (trouble knowing what is real) or unstable bipolar disorder (a condition with extreme mood changes).
  • Have taken part in a Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) group in the past year.
  • Are receiving a PTSD therapy backed by research when screened for the study.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Identifies as a woman * Has served in the United States military * A full or subthreshold (meets criteria for 2 out of 4 of the symptom clusters for PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis * Able to read English well enough to complete study questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * Clinician judgment that the participant is not appropriate for self-help level of care for PTSD (i.e., recent psychiatric hospitalization, requires detox, volatile, active suicidality) * Current psychosis or unstable bipolar disorder (determined during baseline interview as described in screening and enrollment procedures) * Must not have participated in a WoVeN group within the last year * Must not be receiving an evidenced-based therapy for PTSD at the time of the screening

Study sites (1)

MA