Building Ukraine's Strength in PTSD Treatment and Research

The Lux4UA Project aims to strengthen Ukraine's capacity to deliver and research innovative, evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the context of ongoing war, displacement, and humanitarian crisis. The project evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) Protocol - a short-term, neurobiologically grounded intervention that reduces trauma-related symptoms without requiring patients to retell their traumatic experiences in detail. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a steep rise in PTSD prevalence. Recent studies show that 30-50% of civilians, 55% of internally displaced persons, and over 60% of refugees present with PTSD symptoms, while combat-related PTSD among military personnel is widespread. The Ukrainian mental health system, although reforming toward community-based care, lacks sufficient evidence-based tools to address this unprecedented demand. Traditional trauma therapies such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are recommended by international guidelines and effective in many settings. However, they require lengthy treatment, demand that patients retell traumatic events, and often show high dropout rates (up to 30%). In contrast, RTM Protocol has demonstrated rapid and lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms, often in three to five sessions, with low dropout rates. Randomized controlled trials in the USA and UK report diagnostic remission in 70-88% of veterans treated, with sustained results up to a year post-treatment. These features make RTM Protocol particularly promising for conflict-affected populations where resources are limited and stigma or retraumatization hinder treatment. A cornerstone of the project is training 20 Ukrainian mental health professionals in the delivery of the RTM Protocol. Training is conducted by Quresta Inc. (USA) in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, followed by biweekly supervision and accreditation. This ensures both fidelity to the protocol and sustainability. Trained professionals will continue applying RTM beyond the project, potentially treating many trauma survivors in the years ahead. Data will be collected, pseudonymized in Ukraine by implementing partners - the Centre of Mental Health and Rehabilitation "Forest Glade" of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (RCFG) and the National Psychological Association of Ukraine (NPAU), and transferred in fully anonymized, aggregated form to the University of Luxembourg for analysis. Findings will inform humanitarian response policy and sustainable capacity-building for evidence-based PTSD treatment in low-resource, conflict settings. The RTM Protocol effectiveness study implies a randomized field trial with parallel group design, adhering to CONSORT standards, comparing RTM with treatment-as-usual (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), or pharmacotherapy) across three customary clinical settings in Ukraine (hospital in-patient, hospital out-patient, private psychotherapy). The primary outcome is the loss of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis or change in symptoms; secondary outcomes include depression and anxiety at post-treatment, 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Objective 1: To compare the effectiveness of the RTM Protocol for the treatment of trauma-related mental conditions with other evidence-based trauma-focused therapies (TF-CBT, EMDR and medication). Objective 2: To investigate the effectiveness of the RTM Protocol for the treatment of trauma-related mental conditions in different settings of mental health (MH) care (in-patient and out-patient hospital care for veterans and private psychotherapy for civilians) The RTM Protocol and Training feasibility study will evaluate the RTM Protocol's acceptability and adaptability during training and practice through case statistics, satisfaction surveys of MH practitioners and clients, and focus-group interviews with MH practitioners. Objective 1: To analyze the acceptability of the RTM Protocol among MH professionals and persons with trauma-related MH conditions. Objective 2: To analyze the adaptability (Usability of the Ukrainian language versions) of the RTM Protocol. The project addresses ethical issues at every stage: Professional eligibility: Only licensed clinicians with a minimum of three years' experience in trauma care will be considered for training. Informed consent: All participants (both clinicians and patients) will provide written informed consent. Data protection: Data are anonymized, stored securely, and processed according to EU GDPR and Ukrainian legislation. Patient safety: Clear procedures are in place for managing distress, adverse events, and unexpected findings. Participants may withdraw from or switch to a different treatment at any time. The Lux4UA project spans 36 months and is structured into four work packages: 1. Project Management and Administration - research protocol development, ethics approval, data management, and coordination. 2. RTM Training and Supervision - recruitment and training of professionals, ongoing supervision and certification. 3. RTM Protocol Effectiveness and Feasibility Evaluation - recruitment of 120 patients, intervention delivery, data collection, and analysis. 4. Dissemination and Communication - publication of findings, conference presentations, and policy recommendations. By combining research, training, and system integration, the Lux4UA project will not only provide and explore trauma treatment but also lay the foundation for a sustainable, evidence-based mental health infrastructure in Ukraine.