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Digital-Based Interventions for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Protocol for a Systematic Literature Review

The 11th edition of the International Classification of Disease has included Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD) as a clinical diagnosis separate to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Research has shown that cPTSD differs significantly from PTSD on core symptoms relating to the individual’s sense of self; which has driven research investigating treatment approaches to address these specific features of cPTSD. Evidence for effective treatments for cPTSD delivered within in-person settings has been synthesised, however, authors have noted significant access barriers to such specialised treatments. Digital-based intervention (DBI) approaches may overcome such access barriers and have shown effectiveness in treating non-complex PTSD across several systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The current protocol however, proposes a methodology for conducting the first systematic review of research investigating the use of DBIs for treating cPTSD, as there has not yet been a comprehensive synthesis of this research. The review seeks to understand (1) the treatment approaches employed in DBIs for addressing symptoms of cPTSD, (2) the symptoms of cPTSD that are targeted by DBIs, (3) the evidence for the acceptability and effectiveness of DBIs in treating symptoms of cPTSD, and (4) measures taken to ensure the safe and confidential delivery of DBIs for cPTSD. A systematic search of Scopus, PsychINFO, and EBSCOhost is proposed, using search terms targeting ‘cPTSD’ and ‘DBIs’. Literature will be screened against eligibility criteria by two independent reviewers and included studies will be assessed for quality using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Data will be extracted by the same two reviewers, then analysed and synthesised in narrative form by a single reviewer. The findings from the systematic review will provide an understanding of the state of current evidence and inform directions for direct future research aiming to develop effective DBIs for cPTSD.