Study Title: Multi-modal, Motion-assisted, Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation (3MDR) virtual reality-based treatment for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder and associated conditions: A randomized waitlist control study

Principal Investigator: Suzette Brémault-Phillips, PhD, OT, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta

Health Research Ethics Protocol Pro00084466 (University of Alberta)

Aim: To study the effectiveness of 3MDR with: 

• Regular and reserve force military members and Veterans

• Public safety personnel - including but not limited to firefighters (career and volunteer), paramedics, police (municipal, provincial, federal), search and rescue personnel, correctional services officers, border services officers, operational intelligence personnel, Indigenous emergency managers, public safety communications officials

• Healthcare professionals and essential service providers 

• And their adult family members

• General public

Only individuals enrolled in the 3MDR research study can receive 3MDR at this time as it is currently only offered in the context of a research study.

Individuals being considered for participation in the 3MDR study must: 

1. Be aged 18 or more years.

2. Be English speaking.

3. Be from one or more of the following groups: 

• Regular and reserve Canadian Armed Forces service members, and Veterans, 

• Public safety personnel (PSP - e.g., paramedics, police, firefighters, and correction officers), 

• Healthcare professionals (HCP) and Essential service providers (ESP), 

• Adult family members of the aforementioned groups,

• General public

4. Have one or more of the following concerns present for at least 3 months: 

• Official diagnosis of PTSD from a mental health professional;

• A post-traumatic or operational stress injury or other related mental health condition;

• Score above 30 on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5);

• Trauma associated with service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic; 

• Military sexual trauma; 

• Moral injury; and/or 

• Stress-related condition.

5. Agree to be screened by a research team member for study eligibility.

6. Be able to participate in 3MDR at one of the study sites for 2 hours, once a week for 10 to 14 consecutive weeks and engage in follow up sessions.

7. Be under the care of a healthcare provider or team (primary service provider) for mental health needs during the course of 3MDR and following receipt of the intervention. If the individual's 3MDR therapist is not their regular mental healthcare provider, the primary service provider would need to provide authorization for the individual's potential participation in the 3MDR study, as well as consent for release of information to the research team. Note that the research team will not provide ongoing physical or mental health support

8. Be able to walk on a treadmill for 1 hour (or, if the individual uses a wheelchair, be able to maintain a regular wheelchair pace for 60 minutes on a wheelchair trainer unit, which is equivalent to a treadmill for a wheelchair user).

9. Would benefit from psychotherapy and be able to process trauma, learn new things, and reconsolidate memories. 

10. If engaging in psychotherapeutic intervention, be stable on a consistent treatment regime and agree not to enter into new interventions during receipt of the 3MDR intervention.

11. If undergoing pharmacotherapy, be stable on their current psychotropic medication for a period of 4 weeks before entering the trial and agree to not increase dosages or add any new medications during the course of the trial. 

12. If using substances (e.g., alcohol or cannabis), its use must be stable and not interfere with effectively engaging in trauma therapy. 

13. If individuals have co-morbid conditions, other inclusion/exclusion criteria must be satisfied.

14. Not be acutely suicidal or have psychosis.

15. Not have a significant history of non-attendance in previous therapies.

• Assessments, surveys, and interviews.

• 3MDR Clinical Program:

  • Ten weeks, one session per week, 1-2 hours per session

  • Two preparatory sessions

  • Six 3MDR intervention sessions 

  • Two reconsolidation sessions

• Follow-up sessions (typically 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after receiving 3MDR) 

• The total time for study participation is approximately 30 hours 

• Improve stress- and trauma-related symptoms (e.g., sleep challenges, avoidance, emotional regulation).

• Work through trauma in a personalized and empowering way.

• Gain a new perspective on life experiences and relationships.