Skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation (STAIR) for treating complex trauma: A systematic review

Background

There is an ongoing debate on phased versus single-phase treatments for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). This study evaluates Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), a widely-used phase-based therapy, to determine its effectiveness for CPTSD.

Methods

A systematic review of English and French studies was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines, utilizing databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Cochrane.

Results

In a review of seven studies, STAIR therapy for CPTSD showed significant symptom reduction, with effect sizes ranging from d = 1.34 to 2.29 in clinician assessments and d = 0.93 to 2.27 in self-reports. Symptoms of Disturbances in Self-Organization also decreased in six studies, but comparisons with direct treatments gave varied results, suggesting a complex picture of its effectiveness.

Conclusion

This systematic review affirms the utility of STAIR therapy in the context of phase-based treatment for CPTSD while also bringing to light the contrasting results compared to direct approaches.