A Pilot Study of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress in Adults.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by the experience of potentially traumatic events. Complex PTSD (CPTSD) includes additional symptoms that account for a disturbance of the organization of the self. Randomized controlled trials have shown that trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is effective in reducing PTSD symptoms; however, there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of this intervention for CPTSD.

The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of TF-CBT therapy for complex presentation (TF-CBT-CP) in a videoconference modality in adults diagnosed with PTSD or CPTSD who are treated at community mental health care services (CMHCS, COSAM in Spanish) and the Hospital of the Maule Region, Chile.

This pilot study will use a mixed design. The quantitative component will consist of a one-group pre-post-follow-up design, which will include 13 adults diagnosed with PTSD or CPTSD referred to care at CMHCS or hospitals of the Maule Region, Chile. Telephone interviews will collect qualitative data relevant to the study's acceptability.

Participants will receive TF-CBT-CP therapy. It consists of 16 weekly 60-minute sessions of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for complex presentations.

To determine the feasibility of TF-CBT-CP therapy, eligibility, recruitment, participation, activity completion, retention, exit, and dropout rates will be considered. To establish the acceptability of the protocol, participant satisfaction with the recruitment, assessment, and treatment process and reporting of reasons for non-participation or dropout will be assessed. Furthermore, secondary outcomes consider the reduction of PTSD and CPTSD symptomatology, depression, and anxiety and the improvement of indicators of emotional regulation and psychological well-being.