PTSD Recovery Implementation in Employee Assistance Programs (PRIME) Study
PRIME is a clinical research study which aims to reduce symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in healthcare system employees and first responders who are seeking treatment in their EAPs.
Our study will determine whether one type of evidence-based psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is more effective in treating PTSD than standard EAP treatment. Our study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Participants must be:
- Employees seeking care at a participating EAP
- 18 years old or older
- Fluent in English
- Able to be reached by telephone
- Experiencing symptoms of PTSD which meet study criteria on screening measures
Contact Us
WHAT IS PTSD?
PTSD – or posttraumatic stress-disorder – is a condition some people develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. PTSD is commonly experienced among frontline healthcare workers and first responders. People with PTSD experience symptoms such as repeated upsetting dreams and intrusive thoughts about traumatic events, avoidance of things that remind them of the events, trouble remembering details about the events, or feeling extremely jumpy or on guard. These symptoms may last long after the events have happened and can interfere with a person’s day-to-day life.
Do you think you may have PTSD? Take this online quiz. A score of 3 or above may indicate that you have PTSD. If you think you may have PTSD, this study could be a good fit for you. Learn more about the study below.
Please note that this online assessment is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis or advice. If you are having current thoughts of hurting yourself or that you would be better off dead, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD symptoms fall into four categories. These symptoms vary for every individual in duration and intensity.
- Re-experiencing: These symptoms include flashbacks, disturbing dreams, or repeated involuntary thoughts or memories of the event.
- Avoidance: These symptoms include avoiding places, situations, activities, or people that remind an individual of the traumatic events. Individuals may also avoid talking about the traumatic events and thinking about or remembering the traumatic events.
- Changes in cognition and mood: These symptoms include having trouble remembering key details about the events, or experiencing negative thoughts and/or feelings about oneself, others, or the world. They also include distorted thoughts such as guilt or shame, experiencing a loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, being unable to experience positive emotions, or feeling detached or estranged from others.
- Changes in arousal and reactivity: These symptoms include being irritable and experiencing outbursts of anger, being easily startled or on edge, having trouble sleeping or concentrating, or behaving recklessly or engaging in self-destructive behavior.
Participation
Study Therapies
Prolonged Exposure for Primary Care (PE-PC): Is an evidence-based talk therapy that has been demonstrated effective in treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. It consists of 4-6 weekly psychotherapy sessions and weekly homework assignments.
EAP Treatment as Usual (TAU): Will be determined by you and your EAP provider, based on available services in the EAP.
Participating Sites
At-A-Glance
You will speak with a study team member from Michigan Medicine who will explain the study in detail and answer any questions you may have. If you are interested, the study team member will conduct screening questions to determine if the study is a good fit for you. Once you are enrolled into the study, you will be randomized into one of our treatment groups and scheduled for a session with an EAP counselor.
After your enrollment into the study, you will be asked to complete your baseline assessment, which will be sent to you via Qualtrics (a web-based survey research tool). This survey questionnaire will ask questions about your current symptoms, health, and functioning.
You will be compensated $40 for completion of your baseline survey.
For your treatment in this study, you may attend weekly therapy sessions over the course of 4-6 weeks and complete weekly homework assignments as directed by your counselor. All EAP treatment provided to you as part of this study is covered under your EAP benefits.
Approximately 6 weeks after you enroll into the study, you will complete a survey questionnaire via Qualtrics about your symptoms, health, and functioning. You will be compensated $60 for completion of this follow-up.
Approximately 3 months after you enroll into the study, you will complete a survey questionnaire via Qualtrics about your symptoms, health, and functioning. You will be compensated $80 for completion of this follow-up.
Approximately 6 months after you enroll into the study, you will complete a survey questionnaire via Qualtrics about your symptoms, health, and functioning. You will be compensated $100 for completion of this follow-up.
MEET OUR TEAM
Principal Investigator
Rebecca Sripada, PhD
Medical School
Team Members
Heather has been a Senior Program Manager/Qualitative Analyst at the Ann Arbor VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR) and the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry for over 16 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and earned a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
She has extensive experience in project management of clinical trials and delivery of mental health interventions. Outside of work, she is the mother of 2 teenagers and loves to cook, bake, read, and watch too much Netflix.
James has worked in research at the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry and at the Ann Arbor VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR) since 2015. He joined Dr. Sripada’s team as a study coordinator in 2022.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State University. When he is not working, James’ interests include being outside, bike riding, watching Netflix, and playing with his 3 cats.
