Paris MEM: a study protocol for an effectiveness and efficiency trial on the treatment of traumatic stress in France after the 2015–16 terrorist attacks

Abstract Background The Paris and Nice terrorist attacks affected a thousand of trauma victims and first-line responders. Because there were concerns that this might represent the first of several attacks, there was a need to quickly enhance the local capacities to treat a large number of individual...

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Main Authors: A. Brunet, A. Ayrolles, L. Gambotti, R. Maatoug, C. Estellat, M. Descamps, N. Girault, K. Kalalou, G. Abgrall, F. Ducrocq, G. Vaiva, N. Jaafari, M. O. Krebs, E. Castaigne, I. Hanafy, M. Benoit, S. Mouchabac, M. C. Cabié, O. Guillin, F. Hodeib, I. Durand-Zaleski, B. Millet
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-11-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-019-2283-4
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Summary:Abstract Background The Paris and Nice terrorist attacks affected a thousand of trauma victims and first-line responders. Because there were concerns that this might represent the first of several attacks, there was a need to quickly enhance the local capacities to treat a large number of individuals suffering from trauma-related disorders. Since Reconsolidation Therapy (RT) is brief, relatively easy to learn, well tolerated and effective, it appeared as the ideal first-line treatment to teach to clinicians in this context. Methods This study protocol is a two-arm non-randomized, multicenter controlled trial, comparing RT to treatment as usual for the treatment of trauma-related disorders. RT consists of actively recalling one’s traumatic event under the influence of the ß-blocker propranolol, once a week, for 10–25 min with a therapist, over 6 consecutive weeks. This protocol evaluates the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost-utility of implementing RT as part of a large multi-center (N = 400) pragmatic trial with a one-year follow-up. Discussion Paris MEM is the largest trial to date assessing the efficiency of RT in the aftermath of a large-scale man-made disaster. RT could possibly reinforce the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of patients suffering from trauma-related disorders, not only for communities in western countries but also worldwide for terror- or disaster-stricken communities. Trial registration Clinical Trials (ClinicalTrials.gov). June 3, 2016. NCT02789982.
ISSN:1471-244X