3MDR for Treatment Resistant PTSD in Military Veterans
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Phase II Randomised Controlled Trial of 3MDR for Treatment\nResistant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Military Veterans\n
IRAS ID
213400
Contact name
Jonathan I Bisson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
Around 4% of British military veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychological therapy with a focus on the traumatic event is the treatment of choice for PTSD and can be very helpful but, unfortunately, treatment resistance is high. There is an urgent need to identify effective treatments for military veterans who do not respond to, or are unable to engage with, current first line treatments. Modular motion-assisted memory desensitisation and reconsolidation (3MDR) is a new treatment that is based on the principles of existing trauma-focused treatments in a novel context in which the patient walks on a treadmill whilst interacting with a series of self-selected images that are displayed on a large screen. It aims to help patients learn how to move through their avoidance by, literally, approaching their traumatic memories. \n\nThis study will determine if 3MDR can help British military veterans with PTSD who have not responded to the current first choice treatment for PTSD. The study will take place at Cardiff University, which has a specially designed laboratory that is set up to deliver 3MDR. Forty-two veterans with PTSD who are aged 18 or over, who have not benefitted from trauma focused psychological treatment and have given informed consent will be invited to take part in the study. Their symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety and functioning will be assessed using standard measures and they will then be randomly allocated to receive either 3MDR immediately or after a delay of 12 weeks. At the end of treatment, and four weeks later, the assessment measures will be repeated. The 3MDR will be delivered weekly over six weeks by experienced psychological therapists. An evaluation of the process of 3MDR treatment will also be undertaken by collecting information during the 3MDR sessions and by interviewing therapists and participants regarding their experiences.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
17/WA/0005
Date of REC Opinion
14 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion