trauma-informed goal management training for public safety personnel (psp) with post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)

Conditions: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Summary: goal management training (gmt) is a program designed to help improve cognitive functioning. for this study, researchers have worked closely with the developers of this program to create a modified version called trauma-informed goal management training (ti-gmt), that is more sensitive to the needs of public safety personnel (psp) diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd). the goal of this clinical trial is to find out how effective this modified, trauma-informed goal management training program is for public safety personnel diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, in comparison to the standard goal management training program. the main questions it aims to answer are: 1. does trauma-informed goal management training result in better neuropsychological functioning and greater reductions in the severity of ptsd symptoms when compared to standard goal management training? 2. does trauma-informed goal management training result in self-reported improvements in cognitive functioning and the overall ability to function (including intent to return to work, and/or intent to stay at work, reductions in disability status, etc.) when compared to standard goal management training? 3. does trauma-informed goal management training continue to benefit individuals three months after treatment? participants will: * complete three separate assessments before starting the treatment - a clinical interview to evaluate symptoms, a cognitive assessment, and completing a set of questionnaires * participate in a nine-week group treatment program (one day a week for two hours) * complete three separate assessments after completing the treatment - a clinical interview to evaluate symptoms, a cognitive assessment, and completing a set of questionnaires * complete three separate assessments three months after completing the treatment - a clinical interview to evaluate symptoms, a cognitive assessment, and completing a set of questionnaires


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria - participants must: * be fluent in english * reside in ontario * be public safety personnel (e.g. police officer, corrections officer, probation or parole officer, firefighter, search and rescue, paramedic, nurse, dispatcher) * be able to provide written informed consent * meet criteria on the ptsd checklist for dsm-5 (pcl-5) for a provisional diagnosis of ptsd (cut-off score of \>30), administered during screening * be able to attend regular online, 2-hour sessions once a week for 9 weeks, and be willing to complete the pre- and post- treatment assessments * have access to a smart phone, tablet, or computer with a working microphone and camera, and have reliable and consistent internet exclusion criteria: * daily or almost daily use of benzodiazepines * daily or almost daily use of narcotics * diagnosed with alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder in the past 12 months * meet criteria on the mini-international neuropsychiatric interview (m.i.n.i.) for diagnosis of alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder * history of moderate-to-severe brain injury and/or loss of consciousness with prolonged effects that interfere with daily functioning at school, work, or family unit * history of neurological disorder(s) that may impact ability to participate in the study * diagnosis of psychotic disorder(s) or bipolar disorder(s) * diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder(s) that may impact ability to participate in the study * other conditions/impairments/considerations that may interfere with completion of study tasks * previous participation in goal management training * receiving treatment with anti-cholinergic medication, anti-psychotic medication, or psychostimulants * had electroconvulsive therapy (ect) within the past year * currently engaged in a trauma-specific intervention that may impact the findings of the current study such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (emdr), cognitive processing therapy (cpt), prolonged exposure (pe), etc.

Keywords: goal management training (gmt) trauma-informed goal management training (ti-gmt)