Clinical Trial: Posttraumatic Stress Disorders in Police and 911 Operators

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Posttraumatic Stress Disorders in Police and 911 Operators: A Cost-effectiveness and Efficacy Comparison of Treatment as Usual and a Novel Intervention

Brief Summary: Police officers and 911-operators are at increased risk for suffering from trauma-related disorders due to their direct and indirect exposure to life-threatening events, such as shootings, violent assaults, or car accidents, among others. Typical treatments for post-traumatic stress disorders include psychotherapy and pharmacological therapies (i.e., antidepressants). Although these interventions are effective for many sufferers, they all have limitations. Thus, the investigators propose to explore the usefulness of a new therapeutic technique, reconsolidation blockade, which involves reactivating the trauma memory while under the influence of propranolol. Objectives and hypotheses: To explore the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of reconsolidation blockade therapy as an adjunct treatment for trauma- and stressor-related disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Mental Disorders-5. The investigators hypothesize that, compared to the control group, 5 weekly trauma-memory reactivations under propranolol treatment will confer a significant reduction in trauma-related symptoms and significantly more health-related economic benefits. Stress symptoms and health-related costs will be assessed at 7, 26 and 52 weeks after study inclusion. In this study, the investigators will also explore the effects of reconsolidation blockade with propranolol on various neuropsychological functions.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Current Primary Outcome: EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire with five-level scale [ Time Frame: The weighted average of the questionnaire responses will be calculated over a 12 month period ]

This questionnaire is a standardized instrument for measuring generic health status


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Post-traumatic Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders - 5th edition (PCL-5) [ Time Frame: Change from baseline (week 0) to weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 7, 26, and 52. ]
    Measure of trauma and stressor related symptoms
  • Hopkins Symptom Checklist - 25 (HSCL - 25). [ Time Frame: Change from baseline (week 0) to weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 7, 26, and 52. ]
    Measure of depression and anxiety symptom severity
  • Operational Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-OP) [ Time Frame: Change from baseline (week 0) to weeks 7, 26, and 52. ]
    Measure of severity of occupational stress


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Dates:
Date Received: March 30, 2017
Date Started: March 30, 2017
Date Completion: March 2021
Last Updated: May 11, 2017
Last Verified: May 2017