PTSD trial expands across Australia

In the lead-up to National PTSD Awareness Day on 27 June, an Australian-first research program to improve the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder is recruiting new participants after expanding to cover most states and territories.

The Rapid Exposure Supporting Trauma Recovery (RESTORE) trial is working with past and present Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to help develop an effective treatment for PTSD among military members. PTSD is the most prevalent mental health disorder among Defence personnel.

The trial is assessing whether a new, intensive form of prolonged exposure therapy involving 10 sessions over two weeks is as effective as the standard 10-week treatment now offered. Researchers hope the condensed version will make treatment more accessible and eventually available to everyone with PTSD.

Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health at the University of Melbourne is leading the RESTORE trial with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Department of Defence and the Veterans Families Counselling Service. It is already offered at sites in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and has expanded to include Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, Perth, Rockingham and Townsville.

Phoenix Australia Director and Chief Investigator Professor David Forbes hopes the trial will pave the way for improved PTSD treatment for current servers, veterans and the general population. It could serve as a particularly important contribution to military health care, with 8.3% of ADF members having experienced PTSD in the past year compared to 5.2% nationally.

“We need to develop and test new and innovative approaches to help those not benefitting from current approaches,” Professor Forbes said. “The outcomes of this trial will help not just the military and veteran community, but also other Australians with PTSD as we improve PTSD treatments for everyone.”

The trial is now recruiting veterans and current serving members of the ADF aged 18–75. To be eligible, participants must be experiencing symptoms consistent with PTSD, which are related to a traumatic experience that occurred during military service.

Suitable participants are randomly allocated to either the intensive or standard program. Potential benefits include an improvement in their PTSD symptoms and a better quality of life.

Anyone interested in the trial can call 1800 856 824, email restore@unimelb.edu.au or visit www.phoenixaustralia.org/RESTORE for further information.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/John Gomez