ADVANCE 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adapting evidence-based guided internet-based treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (ADVANCE)
IRAS ID
327070
Contact name
Jonathan Bisson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an important mental health problem amongst military veterans with an estimated prevalence of around 7%. Many veterans have more complex presentations and do not always respond as well as other populations to standard evidence-based treatments. The Cardiff University Traumatic Stress Research Group carefully developed a guided self-help (GSH) intervention for PTSD using an internet-based CBT-TF programme, Spring. Following a successful feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Spring, we completed a large multi-site RCT, with centres in England, Scotland and Wales, that demonstrated guided internet-based CBT-TF using Spring to be non-inferior to individual face-to-face CBT-TF for PTSD to a single traumatic event. This has led to the successful implementation of guided internet-based CBT-TF using Spring within NHS Wales, including successful delivery to some military veterans with PTSD. Recognising differences between the presentation of PTSD in veterans and people who have not served in the military, we are currently developing a bespoke version of the Spring programme that retains its effective components. We are seeking approval to (1) pilot test the intervention with treatment-seeking military veterans with PTSD/CPTSD and refine it based on feedback (stage 1 of the project); and (2) conduct a feasibility RCT to determine the likely effect size, cost savings, and acceptability of the intervention (stage 2 of the project).
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
23/WA/0217
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion