Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Modified Brief Prolonged Exposure Therapy (Brief PE) During Inpatient Rehabilitation Post SCI

Although the physical outcomes associated with SCI have been widely studied, the psychological consequences of sustaining a SCI remain less explored. Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is a well-researched and highly effective treatment for PTSD across multiple traumas. However, early intervention with Brief PE for PTSD prevention among people post SCI in a rehabilitation setting has not yet been tested. We aim to conduct the first test of the Brief PE intervention to prevent PTSD among patients with SCI.

We will conduct a RCT to examine the efficacy of the modified Brief PE intervention delivered in an inpatient rehabilitation setting post-SCI to reduce PTSD symptoms (primary outcome) at 1, 3, and 6 months from baseline; (2) Examine the efficacy of the modified brief PE intervention on secondary outcomes including depression, general anxiety, pain, and quality of life at 1, 3, and 6 months from baseline; and (3) Assess the feasibility and fidelity of delivering the Brief PE intervention to people with SCI.