Residential Retreat for Veterans and First-responders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the potential efficacy and feasibility of a residential retreat program to address PTSD symptoms in Veterans and First-responders

Detailed Description
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After obtaining written consent, participants will complete their program as they had previously intended. Each wave of the residential retreat program will last 5 days. During the program, participants will complete the study questionnaires. They will complete these questionnaires again 1 month after the completion of the program. As a control, individuals completing the program in the online format will also be asked to provide written consent and will complete the questionnaires during the program and 1-month after its completion.

Official Title
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Examining the Efficacy and Feasibility of a Residential Retreat Program for PTSD in First-responders and Veterans: A Non-randomized Controlled Study

Conditions
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PTSD

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: psychoeducation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of PTSD, being a military veteran or first-responder, awareness of treating physician about program attendance Exclusion Criteria: None

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Residential Cohort<br>Those completing the program in a residential context | Other: psychoeducation<br>* The program consists of psychoeducational material regarding PTSD, demonstration of various stress management techniques, and social cohesion activities<br>* Other names: social cohesion activities;|
| Online Cohort<br>Those completing the program online | Other: psychoeducation<br>* The program consists of psychoeducational material regarding PTSD, demonstration of various stress management techniques, and social cohesion activities<br>* Other names: social cohesion activities;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Symptom Management of PTSD Using the Perceived Medical Condition Self-Management Scale | determining the potential efficacy of the residential program for improving symptom management. The scale is adapted to reflect participants management of their PTSD symptoms. Score ranges from 8 to 40. Higher scores indicate better management. | 1-month after completion of the program | 
| Drop-out rate in the Residential Program | Determining the extent of treatment drop-out in the Residential Program | at the end of the 5-day residential program for the residential cohort | 
| Symptoms of PTSD Indicated by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scale. | determining the potential efficacy of the residential program for improving PTSD symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 80. Higher scores indicate more symptoms of PTSD. | 1-month after completion of the program | 
| Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Functioning Using the Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (B-IPF) | determining the potential efficacy of the residential program for improving interpersonal and intrapersonal functioning (e.g., relationship with family, ability to manage daily tasks, etc.). Scores range from 0 to 42. Higher scores indicate more problems and lower functioning. | 1-month after the completion of the program | 
| Drop-out rate in the Online Program | Determining the extent of treatment drop-out in the Online Program | at the end of the 2 month online program for the online cohort. |