Psychological interventions for complex trauma
The Trauma and Complex Mental Health Problems Research Unit are investing significant effort in developing and evaluating psychological interventions for people who have experienced complex trauma. Details of our past and current projects are provided below.
Chien, Bressington, Yip & Karatzias (2017)
This single-blind, multi-site, pragmatic randomised controlled trial, led by Professor Chien in Hong Kong and supported by Professor Karatzias and colleagues, was conducted in six community treatment facilities across three countries (Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan). 300 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia were allocated to mindfulness-based psychoeducation or usual care. The results are published in Psychological Medicine.
Wang, Chien, Yip & Karatzias (2016)
This single-blind, multisite randomised controlled trial, led by Professor Chien in Hong Kong and supported by Professor Karatzias and colleagues, tested the effects of a mindfulness-based psychoeducation group program (MPGP in addition to usual care) versus a conventional psychoeducation group program (CPGP) versus treatment-as-usual (TAU) alone, with 138 people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders over a 6-month follow-up. The results are published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.
Karatzias, Ferguson, Chouliara, Gullone, Cosgrove & Douglas (2014)
This was an uncontrolled study of the acceptability and effectiveness of brief group psychoeducation for 37 adult survivors of child sexual abuse. The results of this trial, led by Thanos Karatzias and colleagues, are published in the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy.
Karatzias, Power, Brown, McGoldrick, Begum, Young, Loughran, Chouliara & Adams (2011)
This single-blind randomised controlled trial, led by Thanos Karatzias and colleagues, allocated 46 participants with PTSD to either EMDR or 'emotion freedom techniques'. The results are published in Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.
Power, McGoldrick, Brown, Buchanan, Sharp, Swanson & Karatzias (2002)
In this single-blind trial, a total of 105 patients with PTSD were randomly allocated to EMDR versus exposure plus cognitive restructuring versus waiting list in a primary care setting. The results of this trial, led by Professor Kevin Power and supported by Thanos Karatzias and colleagues, are published in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.
Mahoney & Karatzias (ongoing)
This single-blind randomised controlled trial, led by Adam Mahoney and supervised by Thanos Karatzias, will determine whether trauma-focused therapy is effective for adult female prisoners who have experienced trauma. Recruitment for this trial is complete, and the results are currently being analysed.
Mahoney, Karatzias & Hutton (under review)
This is systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for people who have experienced complex trauma. This work has now been completed and paper has been submitted for publication.
Paterson, Harper, Hutton, Dougall & Karatzias (ongoing)
This open non-randomised controlled trial, led by Charlotte Paterson and supervised by Sean Harper, Thanos Karatzias, Nadine Dougall and Paul Hutton, will determine whether delivery of group psychological therapy in an acute psychiatric inpatient environment is feasible and acceptable, and associated with improvements in psychological distress, readmission rates and functioning. Recruitment for this trial is complete, and the results are currently being prepared for publication.
Karatzias, Murphy, Fleming, Roberts, Bradley, Fyvie, Bisson, Roberts, Hyland, Cloitre, Hecker, Maercker & Hutton (ongoing)
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological interventions for complex post-traumatic stress disorder, the results of which will have significant implications for services for people with this condition, particularly given the imminent publication of ICD-11. Searches, extractions and analyses are nearing completion. The protocol is available here.
Recent years have seen a consensus emerge that early complex trauma and adversity increases the risk of psychosis. However the psychological and social mechanisms linking trauma to psychotic symptoms remains unclear. A cross-ERICCA project is therefore to improve our understanding of the mechanisms linking trauma to psychosis, and develop an up-to-date theoretical understanding and new interventions based on this.