NCT04672551 EMDR Treatment in PTSD Following Cardiac Events
| NCT ID | NCT04672551 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich |
| Condition | Posttraumatic Stress Disorder |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2020-11-21 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-11-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2020-11-21 with a primary completion date of 2027-11-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Cardiac events can often result in debilitating and persistent psychological symptoms. A key question involves whether optimal treatment of cardiac-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reduces PTSD symptoms and thereby may offset the risk of recurrent or worsening cardiovascular disease. Cardiac-induced PTSD 1) is prevalent, 2) features symptoms unique to internal ongoing somatic threat, with fears and worries that can be distinguished from PTSD resulting from external causes, 3) is persistent, 4) is associated with negative physical and emotional consequences, and 5) has not been the subject of randomized-controlled treatment trials (RCT). There is preliminary evidence suggesting that patients with cardiac-disease induced PTSD might particularly profit from EMDR. Nevertheless, this possibility has not been tested in cardiac-induced PTSD. Currently, patients with cardiac-induced PTSD are not routinely offered trauma-focused therapies, with a lack of scientific evidence likely being one major reason for this omission. If our proposed RCT shows that EMDR can be an effective treatment for patients with ACS-induced PTSD, EMDR could be routinely implemented as first-line treatment. The RCT outcomes might inform larger trials to test whether poor prognosis in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events can be improved through EMDR in patients with cardiac-induced PTSD.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18-70 years * Men or women * STEMI (irrespective of troponin, but ST-elevation) or non-STEMI (troponin positive) at the time of the cardiac event, as verified by the cardiologist * Diagnosis of PTSD caused by the cardiac event Exclusion Criteria: * Psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse as measured with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) * Acute suicidal ideation as assessed with the M.I.N.I. * Non-selective beta blockers (e.g., propranolol) during the study period * Ongoing psychological/psychiatric treatment outside of the trial during the study period * Visionary problems, e.g. strabismus, which does not allow adequate eye movements * Insufficient knowledge of the German language * Expected inability or willingness to follow the study protocol * Regular medication with benzodiazepine
Contact & Investigator
Christoph Mueller-Pfeiffer, PD Dr. med.
✉ christoph.mueller-pfeiffer@access.uzh.ch📞 +41 44 255 52 80
Christoph Mueller-Pfeiffer, PD Dr. med.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
University of Zurich/University Hospital Zurich
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT04672551 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 70 Years, studying Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT04672551 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT04672551 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at christoph.mueller-pfeiffer@access.uzh.ch for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT04672551 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Zurich, Switzerland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT04672551 clinical trial?
NCT04672551 is sponsored by University of Zurich. The principal investigator is Christoph Mueller-Pfeiffer, PD Dr. med. at University of Zurich/University Hospital Zurich. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.