Moving Forward from Moral Injury: A Mixed Methods Study Investigating the Use of 3MDR for Treatment-Resistant PTSD-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Moving Forward from Moral Injury: A Mixed Methods Study Investigating the Use of 3MDR for Treatment-Resistant PTSD

Published:2023-04-06 Issue:7 Volume:20 Page:5415
ISSN:1660-4601
Container-title:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
language:en
Short-container-title:IJERPH

Author:

Smith-MacDonald Lorraine¹²³^ORCID,Jones Chelsea¹²⁴^ORCID,Brown Matthew R. G.¹⁵,Dunleavy Rachel S.³,VanderLaan Annelies¹²,Kaneva Zornitsa¹²^ORCID,Hamilton Tristin¹⁴,Burback Lisa¹⁶^ORCID,Vermetten Eric⁷^ORCID,Brémault-Phillips Suzette¹²

Affiliation:

1. Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC), Faculty of Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada

2. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada

3. St. Stephen’s College, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J6, Canada

4. Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada

5. Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S4, Canada

6. Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada

7. Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden University, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Exposure to trauma and potentially morally injurious events may lead to moral injury (MI). The link between MI and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have particularly relevant implications for treatment-resistant PTSD (TR-PTSD). Multi-modal Motion-Assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation (3MDR), a technology-assisted exposure-based trauma therapy that has been used in the treatment of PTSD, may also be an acceptable modality for patients in the treatment of TR-PTSD and MI. This proof-of-concept study aimed to investigate (1) whether MI co-occurs in military members (MMs) and veterans with TR-PTSD, and (2) the perspectives of MMs and veterans with TR-PTSD utilizing 3MDR for MI. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods clinical trial. Military Members and veterans participated in this study (N = 11) through self-reported questionnaires, video recordings of treatment sessions, and semi-structured interviews post-session and post-intervention, with longitudinal follow-up to 6 months. Results: MI scores correlated with self-reported measures of mental health symptoms related to PTSD. The thematic analysis revealed three emergent themes: (1) Realities of War, (2) Wrestling Scruples, and (3) Moral Sensemaking. Conclusion: MI was highly correlated with TR-PTSD and themes regarding MI. This result, while preliminary, allows for the postulation that MI may be contributing to the continuation of PTSD symptoms in TR-PTSD, and that 3MDR may be an acceptable modality for addressing these symptoms in MMs and veterans.

Funder

Royal Canadian Legion AB/NWT Command

Government of Alberta

Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation

Government of Canada Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/7/5415/pdf

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