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Purpose

People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis than the general population. Comorbid PTSD is also associated with negative HIV-related health outcomes. Unfortunately, little outcome research has examined the usefulness of PTSD treatments for PTSD. This pilot study adapts for PLWH a non-exposure based psychotherapy for PTSD focused on reflecting on one's emotions and relationships and understanding and working through how trauma may have disrupted them. The study team is interested in better understanding the needs of PLWH with PTSD, learning whether PLWH with PTSD find this treatment acceptable and helpful, and beginning to understand the relationship between HIV-related health factors (e.g., inflammation and stress biology) and PTSD, and how these health factors may improve during treatment.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Diagnosis of DSM-5 defined PTSD, per the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale & CAPS-5 total severity score greater than or equal to 25 - HIV diagnosis (by medical records or HIV testing) - Stable psychiatric/psychotropic medication for >=2 months and ongoing during treatment

Exclusion Criteria

  • Psychosis - Bipolar I - Acute suicidality - Current substance use disorder - Organic mental syndrome or intellectual disability - Unstable non-HIV medical conditions

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Trauma-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy 		Twice-weekly psychotherapy for 24 sessions
  • Behavioral: Trauma-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy
    This psychotherapy addresses disruptions in the ability to reflect and affective regulation by exploring the psychological meanings of symptoms and their relation to traumatic events. The therapist works to identify intrapsychic conflicts, intense negative affects, and defense mechanisms related to the PTSD syndrome using a psychodynamic formulation that provides a framework for intervention. The transference provides a forum for patients to address feelings of mistrust, difficulties with authority, fears of abuse, angry and guilty feelings, and fantasies. This treatment will be provided in-person or over teletherapy as the public health situation demands.
    Other names:
    • TFPP

Recruiting Locations

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
The Bronx 5110266, New York 5128638 10461
Contact:
John R Keefe, PhD
347-391-4189
john.keefe@einsteinmed.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Montefiore Medical Center

Study Contact

John R Keefe, PhD
703-981-7184
john.keefe@einsteinmed.edu

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.