RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

Mechanistic Interventions and Neuroscience of Dissociation

About This Trial

The purpose of this study is to test the neurophysiological mechanisms of an intervention to reduce symptoms of dissociation in traumatized people. The intervention will be tested in dissociative traumatized people at two sites: Emory University and University of Pittsburgh. The researchers are interested in whether neural networks associated with attentional control and interoceptive awareness can be enhanced in this population. The researchers propose to evaluate whether different body-focused and non-body focused interventions can change these mechanisms.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - experience of at least one Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) Criterion A trauma (assessed using the Life Events Checklist) - a score of 7 or higher on the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory (MDI) depersonalization subscale - willingness to participate in the study Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - actively psychotic and cognitively compromised individuals (assessed using the Moderate-severe cognitive impairment screening tool (MoCA) will be excluded - moderate or more severe substance dependence (assessed with the MINI) - persons with imminent risk of physical violence to self or others Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: * experience of at least one Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) Criterion A trauma (assessed using the Life Events Checklist) * a score of 7 or higher on the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory (MDI) depersonalization subscale * willingness to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * actively psychotic and cognitively compromised individuals (assessed using the Moderate-severe cognitive impairment screening tool (MoCA) will be excluded * moderate or more severe substance dependence (assessed with the MINI) * persons with imminent risk of physical violence to self or others

Treatments Being Tested

DEVICE

Vibration

Participants will attend two intervention sessions per week for a total of 8 sessions. Participants will sit in a chair in a sound-proof booth monitored by a researcher in front of a computer screen (which delivers instructions) and will be fitted with psychophysiology leads and a device strapped around the chest. There will be no explicit tasks or direction given in this intervention. Participants will experience smooth slowly varying breath-like vibration on their sternum. They will receive their assigned intervention for approximately 18 minutes.

BEHAVIORAL

Breath Focus

Participants will attend two intervention sessions per week for a total of 8 sessions. Participants will sit in a chair in a sound-proof booth monitored by a researcher in front of a computer screen (which delivers instructions) and will be fitted with psychophysiology leads and a device strapped around the chest. The participant will be asked to focus on their breathing during this intervention. They will receive their assigned intervention for approximately 18 minutes.

BEHAVIORAL

No Distractions

Participants will attend two intervention sessions per week for a total of 8 sessions. Participants will sit in a chair in a sound-proof booth monitored by a researcher in front of a computer screen (which delivers instructions) and will be fitted with psychophysiology leads and a device strapped around the chest. Participants will engage in a period of no-screen time; during this time there will be no outside visual or auditory distractions. There will be no explicit tasks or direction given in this intervention. They will receive their assigned intervention for approximately 18 minutes.

Locations (2)

Grady Hospital

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States