An experimental study to explore the effect of movement on trauma-focused treatment: a study protocol and pilot for a randomized controlled trial in a non-clinical sample.

Bakker, Zander (2022) An experimental study to explore the effect of movement on trauma-focused treatment: a study protocol and pilot for a randomized controlled trial in a non-clinical sample. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Background: Recent studies show that prolonged exercise in addition to trauma-focused treatment (TFT) could have beneficial effects. However, empirical evidence on the effects and timing of movement within trauma-focused treatment is scarce. This thesis provides a study protocol (which has been piloted) for a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) in which the effect of movement on trauma-focused treatment (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) is investigated. It is expected that movement within the exposure phase will increase the effect of exposure and needs to be implemented after exposure for it to have the most beneficial effect. Methods: This study protocol describes a randomized multiday trauma analogue experiment that aims to include 380 participants, equally divided over four conditions (walking before exposure, walking during exposure, walking after exposure or stationary exposure). Outcome measures include distress, vividness, and avoidance of the trauma analogue memory. Results of the pilot (N = 2) will be reported. Results: The pilot showed that participants rated the instructions before and during the experiment as clear and understandable. Moreover, participants indicated the multiday experience was feasible and they did not consider stopping at any time. Conclusions and implications: Results of the RCT will add to the scarce knowledge of TFT in combination with movement by providing additional information on both the effect of movement and the effect of timing of movement within the intervention. This knowledge could improve future PTSD treatment. Keywords, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Virtual Reality Exposure Treatment (VRET), Trauma Film Paradigm (TFP), movement, exercise.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Haart, O.F. de
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2022 07:08
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2022 07:08
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1457

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