Y.T. (Ytje ) van Pelt, PhD

Project Title: Cost-Effectiveness of Intensive Trauma-Focused Treatment vs. Spaced Trauma-Focused Treatment as First-Line Intervention for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Adults with Multiple Trauma Exposure: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Experiencing a traumatic event often leads to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), causing significant distress for both individuals and their families. Timely and effective treatment is crucial in alleviating the impact of PTSD. Current guidelines recommend weekly therapy for PTSD, with intensive treatment reserved for cases where standard therapy proves insufficient. This project aims to investigate whether initiating intensive trauma-focused therapy (I-TFT) as the primary intervention is more cost-effective than the traditional approach of spaced trauma-focused therapy (S-TFT).

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and efficiency of intensive trauma-focused therapy (I-TFT) against spaced trauma-focused therapy (S-TFT) as first-line treatments for PTSD in adults who have experienced multiple traumatic events, particularly through their professional occupations.

Research Question: Is intensive trauma-focused therapy (I-TFT) as effective as spaced trauma-focused therapy (S-TFT) but with faster results, and would implementing I-TFT as the first-line treatment for PTSD be more cost-effective?

Funding: This research project is generously supported by a ZonMw grant (Project number ZonMw grant 10390022210087).

Collaboration: This study is a collaborative effort involving esteemed institutions such as the University of Groningen, ARQ IVP, PsyZo!, Psychotrauma Center Haarlem, the Military Mental Health Services, ARQ Centrum'45, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University, and Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC.

Previous Publications: Previously contributed to the field with the publication: van Pelt, Y.T., Fokkema, P., de Roos, C., de Jongh, A.(2021). Effectiveness of an intensive treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2021 May 14;12(1):1917876. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1917876. PMID: 34025927; PMCID: PMC8128117

This study builds upon our ongoing commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, with the potential to reshape clinical guidelines and improve outcomes for those affected.