The Use of a Smartphone Application to Improve Delivery of an Integrated PTSD and SUD Intervention for Sexual Assault Survivors

Medical University Of South Carolina, Charleston SC

Investigators

Abstract

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section The overall objective of the proposed Research Project Leader (RPL) application to South Carolina Building Resilience through innovative Interventions to promote Growth & Health after Trauma (BRIGHT) COBRE is to support Dr. Christine Hahn in acquiring the skills and research data necessary to support her transition to independence as an R-level funded researcher with a program of work focused on translational research that uses digital health innovations to reduce and treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance misuse stemming from interpersonal violence. PTSD and substance misuse frequency co-occur among people who experience interpersonal violence, yet there is a lack of established evidence-based interventions for these co-occurring conditions. Further, interpersonal violence survivors often do not receive - or wait years to receive - evidence based mental health interventions, and settings that provide acute services to survivors report various system level barriers to applying integrated interventions. The proposed study directly addresses these clinical gaps by developing and testing the first smartphone application intended to aid in the implementation of an integrated intervention for PTSD and substance misuse following sexual assault. The integrated intervention is called Skills Training and Exposure Post Sexual Assault (STEPS) and was developed by the RPL and her mentors (Drs. Sudie Back and Brian Marx) in her NIAAA K23 Award. STEPS is innovative because it builds on existing evidence-based treatment protocols that are more efficient than traditional gold standard treatments (e.g., 5 versus 12 or more sessions). Preliminary data supports feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of STEPS, but also a clear need to develop further reimplementation supports to apply STEPS in real world settings. In Aim 1, we will develop a smartphone application to be used by providers and patients engaging with STEPS with input from constitutes, including survivors, providers, and experts in PTSD and substance misuse. In Aim 2, we will conduct a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial STEPS in which we will randomize providers (i.e., clusters) to deliver STEPS with or without the smartphone application within three rape advocacy centers and to 30 survivors. We will investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and other implementation factors related to delivery of STEPS with the smartphone application. The RPL will use resources and training in the Administrative Core, including the Biostatistical and Qualitative Analysis Leads, as well as the three BRIGHT Research Cores (Digital Health, Community Engagement, and Dissemination & Implementation Science Cores), to ensure the smartphone application is developed with cutting-edge digital health innovations, informed by a representative group of constituents, and is guided by implementation science.