The IMPACT trial is comparing a novel, transdiagnostic psychological intervention for PTSD known as the Unified Protocol against Prolonged Exposure therapy, the gold standard in PTSD treatment.
The IMPACT trial is currently funded to provide treatment to veterans and first responders residing in Victoria. For other treatment trials for members from the general community, please see our link to the BDNF trial here.
Unified Protocol therapy has promise as an effective treatment for those with PTSD by helping individuals build skills in emotion regulation to better manage the emotional impacts of trauma. Prolonged Exposure is well established as a treatment for supporting people with PTSD by helping individuals process their traumatic memories and reclaim their lives.
Presently, recruitment for the IMPACT trial is open for treatment delivered via video conferencing to ex-serving defence force personnel and first responders residing in Victoria. We welcome expressions of interest from ex-serving defence force personnel and first responders residing in Victoria for face-to-face treatment and will resume face to face in our clinic subject to government guidelines.
REGISTER INTERESTTo be eligible for the IMPACT Trial, the following criteria need to be met:*
Aged 18 or over.
Have been diagnosed with PTSD or suspect that they have PTSD following a traumatic event.
Currently reside in Victoria.
Access to equipment for video conferencing (ie computer and internet) for Telehealth.
Able to attend weekly sessions.
Have good English comprehension.
Unfortunately, this trial is not suitable for individuals who have been diagnosed with a current psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, mania, or a severe drug or alcohol use disorder.
Furthermore, this trial is not suitable for people who are unable to guarantee their own current safety (i.e. have active suicidality, deliberate self-harm, a current victim/survivor of family violence), or the safety of another (e.g. a perpetrator of violence).
*Other inclusion and exclusion criteria apply, which will be advised upon contact and further assessed during an intake process to confirm eligibility.
Participation involves:
Eligible participants will receive treatment at no cost.
Please note: Consent for the research team to communicate with participant’s GP is a requirement for entering into this trial. Participants are encouraged to share this website information with their GP and other health professionals when expressing interest in this research.
For more information about the trial, including possible benefits and risks to participation, please read our Plain Language Statement.
Referrers are welcome to contact us if they would like to refer a client.
For additional details on how referrers can support their clients to access the IMPACT trial at the Phoenix Australia Traumatic Stress Clinic, please read the Frequently Asked Questions document.
The IMPACT trial is being conducted by Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, a national centre of excellence in posttraumatic mental health, affiliated with the University of Melbourne.
This research project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of The University of Melbourne (ID Number: 1853047.6).
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