The main aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Lithuanian version of the internet-based guided self-help programme (Spring) in reducing ICD-11 PTSD symptoms.
Spring is an online guided self-help programme for the reduction of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. It is based on the principles of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and consists of 8 steps covering psychoeducation, grounding techniques, management of anxiety, behavioral activation, imaginal exposure, cognitive restructuring, in vivo exposure, and prevention of relapse. The user of the programme also receives up to 3 hours of therapist guidance. Originally Spring was developed by the research team at Cardiff University. In the current study, the most recent second version of the Spring programme adapted to the Lithuanian population will be used. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Lithuanian version of the Spring programme in reducing ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
Spring is an online guided self-help programme based on the principles of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and consists of 8 steps designed for delivery over 8 weeks. The steps cover psychoeducation, grounding techniques, management of anxiety, behavioral activation, imaginal exposure, cognitive restructuring, in vivo exposure, and prevention of relapse. The user of the programme also receives up to 3 hours of therapist guidance.
Change in International Trauma Interview (ITI) PTSD score post-treatment
The ITI is a semi-structured clinical interview for the assessment of symptoms of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder. The total ITI score measuring symptoms of PTSD may range from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization
Change in International Trauma Interview (ITI) PTSD score at a three-month follow-up
The ITI is a semi-structured clinical interview for the assessment of symptoms of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and disturbances is self organization (DSO). The total ITI score measuring DSO symptoms may range from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: baseline; 22 weeks after randomization
Change in International Trauma Interview (ITI) DSO score
The ITI is a semi-structured clinical interview for the assessment of symptoms of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and disturbances is self organization (DSO). The total ITI score measuring DSO symptoms may range from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization; 22 weeks after randomization
Change in International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) score
The ITQ is a self-report questionnaire for the assessment of symptoms of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder. The overall ITQ score ranges from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization; 22 weeks after randomization; 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Change in International Depression Questionnaire (IDQ) score
The IDQ is a self-report questionnaire for the assessment of ICD-11 depression symptoms. Possible range of scores varies from 0 to 36. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
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Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization; 22 weeks after randomization; 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Change in International Anxiety Questionnaire (IAQ) score
The IAQ is a self-report questionnaire for the assessment of ICD-11 anxiety symptoms. Possible range of scores varies from 0 to 32. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization; 22 weeks after randomization; 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Change in World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) score
The WHO-5 is a five-item self-report scale that assesses subjective psychological well-being. The range of the final WHO-5 index score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better well-being.
Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization; 22 weeks after randomization; 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Change in Brief Version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI-9)
PTCI-9 is a self-report measure assessing posttraumatic appraisals. The final score ranges from 9 to 63. Higher scale scores indicate stronger endorsement of negative cognitions.
Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization; 22 weeks after randomization; 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Change in Trauma Related Shame Inventory - Short Form (TRSI-SF)
TRSI-SF is a self-report scale measuring trauma-related shame. The final score ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate higher levels of shame.
Time frame: baseline; 10 weeks after randomization; 22 weeks after randomization; 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Patient satisfaction questionnaire (ZUF-8)
ZUF-8 is a self-report instrument for measuring patient satisfaction with the treatment/service received. The final score ranges from 8 to 32. Higher scores indicate stronger satisfaction with treatment.
Time frame: 10 weeks after randomization (immediate treatment group only); 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Working Alliance Inventory for guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I)
WAI-I is a self-report instrument to assess the working alliance in the context of guided Internet interventions. The overall WAI-I score ranges from 12 to 60. Higher scores reflect stronger working alliance.
Time frame: 5 and 10 weeks after randomization (immediate treatment group only); 27 and 32 weeks after randomization (delayed treatment group only)
Readiness for Therapy Questionnaire (RTQ)
RTQ is a self-report measure of clients' readiness for change. The final score ranges from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate greater readiness for therapy.
Time frame: Baseline (before start using the intervention programme)
The Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q)
TEX-Q is a self-report assessment of clients' treatment expectations. The TEX-Q consists of 6 subscales: treatment benefit, positive impact, adverse events, negative impact, process, behavior control. Each item of the TEX-Q subscales is measured on a scale from 0 to 10. The mean score can range from 0 to 10. The overall score of TEX-Q is determined by calculating the mean with a reversal of the harm expectation subscales; higher values indicate more positive treatment expectations.
Time frame: Baseline (before start using the intervention programme)