Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy Vs TAU for Adjustment Disorder Following Traumatic Event Exposure

BEHAVIORAL

Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT)

TBT manualized treatment incorporates daily exposure exercises from up to four categories of avoidance that are most characteristic of the emotional disorders (i.e., situational, interoceptive, imaginal, and positive emotional).

BEHAVIORAL

Treatment as Usual-Problem Solving Therapy (TAU-PST)

PST is an evidence- based psychotherapy implemented in VA Primary Care - Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI), with hundreds of VA providers trained in the intervention nationally. The primary aim of PST is to improve a patient's ability to cope with stressful events by adopting an adaptive perspective to stressors and using goal-focused, problem-solving behaviors to manage the problems associated with the stressors.

Adjustment Disorder New Module Self Report

Time frame: Baseline

The Adjustment Disorder New Module (ADNM) is a 20-item self-report measure of AjD that first asks participants to select from a list of past year stressors and to identify which was the most prominent or distressing. The second section comprises 20 items, which form six subscales in accordance with International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) criteria relating to pre-occupation, failure to adapt, avoidance, depressive mood, anxiety, and impulse disturbance (Lorenz et al., 2016). Participants rate on a 4-point Likert scale how often they have experienced particular symptoms during the past two weeks, and overall symptom severity is calculated as a sum of all item scores. Total score ranges from 20-80, with a higher score indicating a higher risk of developing adjustment disorder.

Adjustment Disorder New Module Self Report

Time frame: 1 week post treatment

The ADNM is a 20-item self-report measure of AjD that first asks participants to select from a list of past year stressors and to identify which was the most prominent or distressing. The second section comprises 20 items, which form six subscales in accordance with ICD-11 criteria relating to pre-occupation, failure to adapt, avoidance, depressive mood, anxiety, and impulse disturbance (Lorenz et al., 2016). Participants rate on a 4-point Likert scale how often they have experienced particular symptoms during the past two weeks, and overall symptom severity is calculated as a sum of all item scores. Total score ranges from 20-80, with a higher score indicating a higher risk of developing adjustment disorder.

Adjustment Disorder New Module Self Report

Time frame: 3 months post treatment

The ADNM is a 20-item self-report measure of AjD that first asks participants to select from a list of past year stressors and to identify which was the most prominent or distressing. The second section comprises 20 items, which form six subscales in accordance with ICD-11 criteria relating to pre-occupation, failure to adapt, avoidance, depressive mood, anxiety, and impulse disturbance (Lorenz et al., 2016). Participants rate on a 4-point Likert scale how often they have experienced particular symptoms during the past two weeks, and overall symptom severity is calculated as a sum of all item scores. Total score ranges from 20-80, with a higher score indicating a higher risk of developing adjustment disorder.

Adjustment Disorder New Module Self Report

Time frame: 6 months post treatment

The ADNM is a 20-item self-report measure of AjD that first asks participants to select from a list of past year stressors and to identify which was the most prominent or distressing. The second section comprises 20 items, which form six subscales in accordance with ICD-11 criteria relating to pre-occupation, failure to adapt, avoidance, depressive mood, anxiety, and impulse disturbance (Lorenz et al., 2016). Participants rate on a 4-point Likert scale how often they have experienced particular symptoms during the past two weeks, and overall symptom severity is calculated as a sum of all item scores. Total score ranges from 20-80, with a higher score indicating a higher risk of developing adjustment disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire - 7

Time frame: Baseline

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006) consists of seven items measuring worry and anxiety symptoms. Each item is scored on a four-point Likert scale (0-3) with total scores ranging from 0 to 21 with higher scores reflecting greater anxiety severity.of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (PCL-5) (Weathers et al., 2013) is structured to correspond to the DSM-5 PTSD criteria. The 20-items are scored on a 0-4 Likert scale for each symptom corresponding to "Not at all" to "Extremely". Total score ranges from 0 to 80, with a higher score indicating greater PTSD symptom severity.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire - 7

Time frame: 1 week post treatment

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006) consists of seven items measuring worry and anxiety symptoms. Each item is scored on a four-point Likert scale (0-3) with total scores ranging from 0 to 21 with higher scores reflecting greater anxiety severity.of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (PCL-5) (Weathers et al., 2013) is structured to correspond to the DSM-5 PTSD criteria. The 20-items are scored on a 0-4 Likert scale for each symptom corresponding to "Not at all" to "Extremely". Total score ranges from 0 to 80, with a higher score indicating greater PTSD symptom severity.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire - 7

Time frame: 3 months post treatment

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006) consists of seven items measuring worry and anxiety symptoms. Each item is scored on a four-point Likert scale (0-3) with total scores ranging from 0 to 21 with higher scores reflecting greater anxiety severity.of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (PCL-5) (Weathers et al., 2013) is structured to correspond to the DSM-5 PTSD criteria. The 20-items are scored on a 0-4 Likert scale for each symptom corresponding to "Not at all" to "Extremely". Total score ranges from 0 to 80, with a higher score indicating greater PTSD symptom severity.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire - 7

Time frame: 6 months post treatment

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006) consists of seven items measuring worry and anxiety symptoms. Each item is scored on a four-point Likert scale (0-3) with total scores ranging from 0 to 21 with higher scores reflecting greater anxiety severity.of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (PCL-5) (Weathers et al., 2013) is structured to correspond to the DSM-5 PTSD criteria. The 20-items are scored on a 0-4 Likert scale for each symptom corresponding to "Not at all" to "Extremely". Total score ranges from 0 to 80, with a higher score indicating greater PTSD symptom severity.

Patient Health Questionnaire-9

Time frame: Baseline

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (Kroenke et al., 2001) is a widely used, well-validated measure of depression severity with high internal consistency (alpha .83 to .92; Cameron et al, 2008) and is correlated strongly with other depression measures. Its nine items assess affective and somatic symptoms and correspond to diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). This measure will also be collected every other week during treatment. Total score ranges from 0 to 27 (scores of 5-9 are classified as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression; ≥ 20 as severe depression).

Patient Health Questionnaire-9

Time frame: 1 week post treatment

The PHQ-9 (Kroenke et al., 2001) is a widely used, well-validated measure of depression severity with high internal consistency (alpha .83 to .92; Cameron et al, 2008) and is correlated strongly with other depression measures. Its nine items assess affective and somatic symptoms and correspond to diagnostic criteria for MDD. This measure will also be collected every other week during treatment. Total score ranges from 0 to 27 (scores of 5-9 are classified as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression; ≥ 20 as severe depression).

Patient Health Questionnaire-9

Time frame: 3 months post treatment

The PHQ-9 (Kroenke et al., 2001) is a widely used, well-validated measure of depression severity with high internal consistency (alpha .83 to .92; Cameron et al, 2008) and is correlated strongly with other depression measures. Its nine items assess affective and somatic symptoms and correspond to diagnostic criteria for MDD. This measure will also be collected every other week during treatment. Total score ranges from 0 to 27 (scores of 5-9 are classified as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression; ≥ 20 as severe depression).

Patient Health Questionnaire-9

Time frame: 6 months post treatment

The PHQ-9 (Kroenke et al., 2001) is a widely used, well-validated measure of depression severity with high internal consistency (alpha .83 to .92; Cameron et al, 2008) and is correlated strongly with other depression measures. Its nine items assess affective and somatic symptoms and correspond to diagnostic criteria for MDD. This measure will also be collected every other week during treatment. Total score ranges from 0 to 27 (scores of 5-9 are classified as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression; ≥ 20 as severe depression).

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.