Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR): Trauma processing through DBR involves bringing up a traumatic memory and encouraging the client to focus on tensions arising in the muscles of the shoulders, neck, head and face (i.e., those involved in orienting toward a threatening person/event). The rationale is as follows: Physiologically, orienting to a stimulus, whether external or in the mind's eye, comes before any affective response to it. Here, it is hypothesized that there is activity in certain midbrain structures , i.e.,Superior Colliculi (SC) and Periaqueductal Gray (PAG). The deep layers of the SC bring on a brief (orienting) tension in the neck as well as preparing for eye movements, which is later followed by the processing of raw affect in the PAG. In session, if we can attend to this tension - even if we have to backtrack from the emotion that follows - we can establish an anchor in the body that precedes the affect and is hypothesized to protect against emotional overwhelm.
Study summary
This study will evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic treatment, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), for PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). Participants will be randomized to either the DBR treatment, or wait-list condition.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* English speaking
* age: 18-65
* meets diagnostic criteria for PTSD (as determined by study assessment)
* may benefit from short-term trauma therapy (as determined by study assessment)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Individuals with any implants, conditions, etc. that do not comply with 7-Tesla (7T) fMRI research safety standards (e.g., certain implants, pregnancy)
* history of significant head injury/lengthy loss of consciousness (e.g., a Glasgow Coma Scale Score \< 15 at the time of incident assessed retrospectively by participant)
* significant untreated medical illness
* history of neurological disorder
* history of any pervasive developmental disorder
* history of bipolar disorder
* history of psychotic disorder
* alcohol/substance abuse or dependence within the last 3 months
* extensive narcotic use
* current participation in counselling more extensive than supportive therapy (e.g., exposure therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy would be an exclusion)
* a degree of mental distress that is unlikely to benefit from a short-term therapy (for our participants' well-being, it will be necessary that we believe it possible to safely address the issues/triggers brought up in treatment within the 8 sessions).
Primary outcome measure(s)
change in PTSD symptoms from baseline as measured by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) at post-treatment assessment — 8 weeks min. CAPS score=0, max=80, with higher scores representing greater PTSD symptoms
change in PTSD symptoms from post-treatment assessment as measured by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) at follow-up assessment — 3 months min. CAPS score=0, max=80, with higher scores representing greater PTSD symptoms
Trial sites (1)
Facility
City
Region
Status
London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital
London
Ontario
More London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's trials in Canada
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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