Project P.I.L.S.
(Psychotherapy Intervention for Lyme Sufferers)
Lyme Disease (LD) is a complicated, confusing, and distressing illness. It is also one of the most rapidly growing infectious diseases in the country. The symptoms can strike any bodily system, making diagnosis difficult and often causing patients to see multiple specialists and endure several misdiagnoses before finally getting proper treatment, sometimes years after the original infection. LD can cause any number of physical and/or psychological symptoms, including joint pain, shortness of breath, headaches, muscles aches, depression, anxiety, and neurological difficulties. While effective medical interventions are available, there are no formalized, empirically validated treatments for the psychological difficulties that can be caused by, or are related to, this illness. While many mental health practitioners are providing services to LD sufferers, the effectiveness of these interventions are not scientifically supported. Practitioners and LD patients alike could benefit from validating the therapeutic effectiveness of techniques that have been utilized in the treatment of many other chronic diseases in the LD population. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that has been highly effective in alleviating the distress associated with various chronic illnesses and improving quality of life.
Bryant University and Providence Psychology Services are co-sponsoring Project P.I.L.S. (Psychotherapy Intervention for Lyme Sufferers). Project PILS is a research study that offers 10 sessions of CBT to LD sufferers. The study was designed and is lead by Dr. Joseph Trunzo, Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at Bryant University and a licensed clinical psychologist with a strong background in research and treatment of the psychological impact of chronic illness. Important Information about the study is listed below:
- The study is designed for adults (18 years or older) who are suffering from chronic LD
- The study offers 10 sessions of individual CBT, but also addresses family issues
- All therapy is conducted by a licensed clinical psychologist and directly supervised by Dr. Trunzo
- All participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires on 3 separate occasions throughout the study
- All eligible participants will receive the intervention (i.e., you will not be randomized to a "no treatment" or "sham treatment" group), but you may be asked to wait to receive the treatment
- Further inclusion and exclusion criteria apply
- This research has been approved by the Bryant University Institutional Review Board
- Please contact Dr. Trunzo at 401.273.3322 ext 2 for further information