Evaluation of the Efficacy of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

Justice Resource Institute17 enrolled

Overview

Study examining the effectiveness of 16 weeks of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Evaluation study of IFS therapy among trauma-impacted adults in order to explore the applicability of IFS with this population, ensure fidelity of treatment administration, and examine initial efficacy. Evaluate the utility of IFS in reducing symptoms of PTSD, dissociation and depression and increasing self-regulatory capacity, self-awareness and self-compassion. 15 subjects between the ages of 18 and 56 who are receiving 16, 90-minute sessions of IFS therapy by certified IFS practitioners in the community will be recruited for this evaluation study. Blind evaluators will assess treatment effects at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment and at one-month follow-up, measuring change in symptoms of PTSD, dissociation and depression, as well as self-regulation, self-compassion, and interoceptive awareness.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

PTSD Depression

Interventions

Internal Family Systems (IFS)BEHAVIORAL

Weekly individual psychotherapy

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 56 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals between 18 and 58 years old, any race. * A minimum two traumatic events prior to the age of 18 years. * Current PTSD diagnosis per CAPS assessment with total symptom scores indicative of a moderate degree of severity (i.e. CAPS total score between 55 and 80). * Clinically significant depressive symptoms as indicated by a total score of 14 or above on the BDI. Exclusion Criteria: * GAF \< 40. * Diagnosis of schizophrenia, DID, Bipolar Disorder or other psychotic disorder not stated above. * Substance dependence or abuse in the past 6 months, as defined by DSM IV criteria and judged by the PI. * Current legal proceedings resulting from the traumatic events. * Previous treatment in IFS.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) total score from pre- to post-treatment and 1-month follow up

A 30-item validated instrument that contains frequency and intensity scales for PTSD symptoms . Subscales assess intrusion, avoidance, arousal and associated affective features.

Time frame: Change from baseline in PTSD symptom severity at up to 16 weeks of treatment and 1-month follow up.

Secondary Outcomes

Change in PTSD symptoms per the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) across four study time points

Self-report of PTSD symptoms per DSM IV criteria.

Time frame: Change from baseline in PTSD symptom severity at up to 8 weeks of treatment, 16 weeks of treatment and 1-month follow up.

Change in symptoms of depression per the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) across 4 study time points

21-item, self-report measure of symptoms of depression.

Time frame: Change from baseline in PTSD symptom severity at up to 8 weeks of treatment, 16 weeks of treatment and 1-month follow up.

Change in interoceptive awareness per the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) across 4 study time points

32-item, self-report measure that assesses interoceptive body awareness across eight distinct but related dimensions: noticing, not-distracting, not-worrying, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trusting.

Time frame: Change from baseline in PTSD symptom severity at up to 8 weeks of treatment, 16 weeks of treatment and 1-month follow up.

Change in symptoms of dissociation per the Structured Interview for Disorders of Extreme Stress, Self-Report Version (SIDES-SR) over 4 study time points

45 item, validated self-report measure assessing six domains of impairment secondary to complex trauma exposure. Assessed areas include alterations in (a) regulation of affect and impulses, (b) attention and consciousness, (c) self-perception, (d) relation with others, (e) somatization, and (f) systems of meaning.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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