The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of the International Trauma Training Institute

The Secret Life of Disco Biscuits

Mallorie Stallings, Andy R Brown — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Abstract

The drug called 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as MDMA, or Ecstasy is proving to be useful for treating clients who present with post-traumatic stress disorder. The drug’s current scheduling classification limits how the drug can be used in clinical trials. Recent research shows positive trends for individuals who simultaneously undergo MDMA treatment and psychotherapy. Some cautions and limitations have been noted. Reclassification of the drug would help increase future research opportunities.

Keywords: PTSD, MDMA, treatment, drug classification, clinical trials

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Lower Back Pain: The Neurological Impacts of a Comorbid diagnosis and Integrative Treatment

Nakieta Lankster, Nomthandazo Dube, Jessica Williams — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Previous research has indicated a prevalent co-occurrence of chronic lower back pain (CLBP) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Though it is known that the dual diagnosis of these disorders is prevalent and the cyclical nature of their symptomology; with trauma symptoms igniting chronic pain symptoms and bouts of pain engaging trauma symptoms, there continues to be a lack of understanding as to the neurological underpinnings of this phenomena. Further, there has been little exploration into the treatment of said co-occurring disorders. An investigation by Lankster and Williams (2018) recommends to use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for individuals triply diagnosed with PTSD, CLBP, and alexithymia. However, the previous study excluded the neurological effects of these disorders, as well as their behavioral and physiological manifestations, which are considered in the current study to develop an intervention with increased efficacy.

The purpose of this systemic review with meta-analysis is to investigate the neurological effects of these conditions, the manner in which they overlap, and the cognitive and behavioral manifestation of dual neurological deficits. It is hypothesized that a structured psychological treatment which includes various aspects of neurological, behavioral, and somatic interventions with concurrent pharmacological treatment will be efficacious in addressing these neurological effects.

The DUI Game: A Study of a Psychoeducational Intervention for DUI Level II Education

Eric Russell Burns, J Brogan, R Gall — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of an intervention, called The DUI Game, designed based on self-efficacy theory, to improve attitudes and behaviors among clients in DUI Level II Education. The research included an experimental design, randomly assigning participants to a control group that used Interactive Journaling (The Change Companies, 2017), and a treatment group that used The DUI Game to augment Interactive Journaling (The Change Companies, 2017). Results in this study were based upon a comparison of 52 participants in a control group and 60 participants in a treatment group, using a series of Z-Tests. A Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test and a Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used on the results for the five scales from the Behaviors and Attitudes Drinking and Driving Scales (BADDS) (Jewell et al., 2007a). The Dwass-Steel-Chritchlow-Fligner Post-Hoc Test was used for a Pairwise Comparisons of Driving Behaviors (DB), as well as an additional Conover-Inman Test for Pairwise Comparisons Post-Hoc Test of Driving Behaviors. The test results demonstrated that there was a significant difference in improving the score for Drinking and Driving Behaviors (DB) on the BADDS (Jewell et al., 2007a) when using The DUI Game as an augmentation to Interactive Journaling (The Change Companies, 2017), compared to using only the Interactive Journaling (The Change Companies, 2017) (Table 8). This study determined that The DUI Game helped to improve driving behaviors among clients of DUI Level II Education. Specifically, The DUI Game improved driving behaviors as measured by the Drinking and Driving Behaviors (DB) portion of the BADDS (Jewell et al., 2007a). The researcher recommended further experimental study for The DUI Game as an intervention in DUI therapy and education, and recommended further research for self-efficacy as a pedagogy for DUI education and therapy.