Computer-Assisted In Sensu Exposure for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Development and Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Digital Therapeutics

Background:

• Dissociative states impede exposure therapy effectiveness for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Dialectical behavior therapy for PTSD (DBT-PTSD) utilizes antidissociative skills during in sensu exposure.
• A gap exists in managing dissociation during self-administered exposure exercises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acceptance and feasibility of the MORPHEUS computer program.
• To assess MORPHEUS's utility in managing dissociative states during self-administered exposure therapy for PTSD.

Main Methods:

• Patients undergoing residential DBT-PTSD treatment used the MORPHEUS program during self-management exposure exercises.
• Post-treatment, participants completed evaluation questionnaires assessing acceptance and feasibility.

Main Results:

• High patient acceptance and feasibility ratings for MORPHEUS were reported.
• Patients found MORPHEUS skills useful for blocking dissociation (mean 4.24/5) and would use/recommend it again.
• Antidissociative skills within MORPHEUS reduced dissociation in 82% of observed instances.

Conclusions:

• The MORPHEUS program exhibits high acceptability and feasibility for patients with PTSD.
• Further research is warranted to investigate the clinical effectiveness of MORPHEUS's integrated antidissociative skills.