POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

This study tests whether MDMA-assisted therapy can help veterans who have both PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Participants receive three monthly therapy sessions with either MDMA or a low-dose placebo, plus non-drug therapy. The goal is to see if this treatment reduces PTSD sympt…

This study compares two sedative drugs—dexmedetomidine and midazolam—in children on breathing machines. The goal is to see which one causes less delirium (a type of temporary brain confusion) and leads to better recovery. About 372 children under 11 years old will take part. The …

This study tests an online, therapist-guided program called CIPE for people who have PTSD symptoms about a month after a traumatic event. The goal is to see if adding CIPE to usual support reduces PTSD, depression, and insomnia better than usual support alone. 360 adults receivin…

This study tests whether a simple breathing exercise called cardiac coherence can help prevent chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people who recently experienced a traumatic event. Researchers will enroll 44 adults with acute stress disorder and teach them the breat…

This study tests a mobile app called Blueprint that teaches coping skills to people who survived a serious illness in the ICU. Many survivors struggle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but mental health care is hard to access. The app aims to help them manage these symptoms on …

This study tests whether a daily capsule of Silexan, a lavender oil extract, can reduce PTSD symptoms in adults. 278 participants will take either Silexan or a placebo alongside their usual treatments for 12 weeks. The goal is to see if this well-tolerated, over-the-counter optio…

This study looks at whether treating sleep apnea early can improve long-term outcomes for veterans with both PTSD and substance use disorder. About 194 veterans in a residential treatment program will either receive sleep apnea treatment right away or be placed on a waitlist. The…

This study tests whether cannabidiol (CBD), a compound from cannabis, can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve thinking problems. 120 adults with PTSD, half also having a mild traumatic brain injury, will take either a daily CBD pill (400 mg or 800 mg) or a placebo for 8 weeks. Resea…

This study tests whether a drug called pimavanserin can improve sleep in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who also have insomnia. About 60 veterans will receive either the drug or a placebo for 8 weeks. The goal is to see if it reduces insomnia severity and imp…

This study is testing whether a specific type of acupuncture can help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military members and their families. Researchers will enroll 75 adults with PTSD and measure changes in their symptoms using standard interviews and q…

This study tests whether MDMA, given alongside a specific type of talk therapy, can help reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. Twenty veterans with PTSD will receive different doses of MDMA during therapy sessions. The goal is to see if this combination safely eases their symptoms.

This study tests whether adding augmented reality (AR) to standard exposure therapy helps U.S. military personnel with PTSD more than therapy alone. Forty veterans and active-duty members will be randomly assigned to receive either AR-enhanced therapy or standard therapy. Researc…

This study tests a remote, culturally adapted therapy for Venezuelan migrants in Peru who struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. The therapy is delivered by trained community members over 6 to 12 weekly online sessions. The goal is to see if this approach improves mental hea…

This study tests a treatment called SMART, which uses movement and body awareness to help adults with PTSD. 80 participants will attend 8 sessions and be assessed before, after, and 3 months later. The goal is to see if this approach reduces PTSD symptoms and improves body awaren…

This study looks at whether adopting and training a shelter dog can reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms and improve overall mental health in military veterans. Over 10 weeks, 120 veterans will attend eight dog training sessions and have their symptoms, stress levels, and even b…

This study tests whether trauma-focused therapy delivered via telehealth can reduce PTSD symptoms in youth aged 7-18 who have experienced trauma. About 80 participants in Puerto Rico will receive therapy remotely. The goal is to see if this approach is effective and practical for…

This study is for adults with PTSD who are patients at Boston Medical Center. It tests a stepped care approach starting with a digital program and adding brief therapy if needed. The goal is to make treatment easier to access and more effective for reducing PTSD symptoms.

This study tests a new training program for veterans who have both mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and PTSD. The training combines exercises to recognize emotions in faces and voices with attention training, since paying attention is key to understanding emotions in daily life…

This study looks at ways to help veterans with PTSD get the most out of their therapy. It compares two approaches: sticking with a common therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or switching to a different one called Present Centered Therapy (PCT) when progress is slow.…

This study tests whether a week of accelerated brain stimulation (25 sessions over 5 days) can quickly reduce PTSD symptoms. It involves 132 adults with PTSD, including those with traumatic brain injury. The goal is to see if this fast-paced treatment works better than a placebo …

This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with mindfulness-based therapy can help ease PTSD symptoms. Thirty adults with PTSD will receive the drug along with either standard support or extra mindfulness training. Res…

This study tests whether adding a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS to a short writing therapy helps reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. About 98 veterans with PTSD will receive either real or fake rTMS along with the therapy. The goal is to see if the combinatio…

This study tests whether a 5-day intensive exposure therapy can treat PTSD as well as the usual 15-week program. 140 adults with PTSD will be randomly assigned to either the fast or standard treatment. The goal is to see if the shorter format works, saves money, and is easier for…

This study tests a noninvasive, personalized brain stimulation treatment called TMS for people aged 18-65 with chronic symptoms after a concussion, such as headache, dizziness, brain fog, or anxiety. Participants will have a 66% chance of receiving active TMS and a 33% chance of …

This study is testing a smartphone app called OTX-601 to see if it can help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Researchers will measure changes in PTSD symptoms over 27 weeks using a standard questionnaire. The study aims to enroll 40 adults with …

This study tests whether a drug called psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with therapy can help women with PTSD from sexual assault. About 70 women will receive the treatment in a controlled setting. The goal is to see if it reduces PTSD symptoms and i…

This small pilot study tests whether a behavioral therapy delivered via telehealth can reduce PTSD and depression symptoms in people at high risk after a motor vehicle collision. Twenty adults who recently experienced a car accident will receive either the therapy or a control se…

This study tests a fast-dissolving film (BXCL501) given in the emergency room after a car accident to see if it can reduce acute stress symptoms and prevent long-term PTSD. About 100 adults who come to the ER within 72 hours of a crash will receive either the drug or a placebo, p…

This study tests whether a new drug called TSND-201 can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in adults. About 300 people with PTSD will receive either one of two doses of TSND-201 or a placebo once a week for 4 weeks, then be followed for 8 more weeks. The goal is to see if the drug helps…

This study tests whether sitting in bright light for 60 minutes each morning can improve sleep in veterans who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and may also have PTSD. About 200 veterans will wear a watch-like device to track their sleep and fill out questionnaires before,…

This study compares two different programs to help female Veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma or intimate partner violence and also have a brain injury. The goal is to see which program works better at improving emotion regulation and reducing PTSD symptoms. Abou…

This study tests whether daridorexant, a drug used for insomnia, can reduce PTSD symptoms in 200 adults, including active-duty service members, veterans, and civilians. Participants receive either the drug or a placebo for 12 weeks, and researchers track changes in PTSD severity …

This study offers two proven trauma therapies—Trauma-Focused CBT and Trauma Systems Therapy—to children aged 5-17 with PTSD and their families. Researchers want to see how well these treatments work when children also face stress from racial trauma and adapting to a new culture. …

This study tests whether having a dream while under anesthesia can reduce symptoms of PTSD. About 42 adults with PTSD will be randomly assigned to either deep sedation (to encourage dreaming) or light sedation (to avoid dreaming). Researchers will compare changes in PTSD symptoms…

This study tests a breathing-based biofeedback technique to improve heart rate variability and reduce persistent symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and memory problems after a mild traumatic brain injury. It involves 148 adults with a history of military service who have had sym…

This study tests whether trauma-focused therapy delivered by video call is practical and acceptable for adults with PTSD or complex PTSD. Researchers will enroll 13 people from community mental health services in Chile. Participants will have 16 weekly therapy sessions. The goal …

This study tests whether a small, handheld device that gently stimulates the vagus nerve (called gammaCore) can safely reduce PTSD symptoms. About 40 adults with PTSD will use the device at home daily for 12 weeks. Researchers will track symptom changes and any side effects to se…

This study is testing several new medications to help reduce PTSD symptoms in active-duty service members, veterans, and civilians. About 800 adults aged 18-64 with PTSD will be randomly assigned to receive one of the study drugs or a placebo. The goal is to see if these treatmen…

This study tests whether a computer-based cognitive training program can improve thinking skills like memory and attention in 128 adults aged 21-55 with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Participants are randomly assigned to either the active training or a sham version. The goal is t…

This study tests whether an 8-week virtual reality adventure exergaming program can improve physical activity, mood, and thinking in women veterans aged 18-45. Participants will play VR games that involve movement, and researchers will track changes in depression, anxiety, and PT…

This study tests whether involving a romantic partner in PTSD therapy helps veterans function better in daily life. About 420 post-9/11 veterans with PTSD and their partners will take part. The treatment, called Partnered PE, adds partner support to standard exposure therapy to i…

This study tests a digital program designed to help women who have experienced violence and struggle with PTSD or depression. The program provides tools to reduce stress, improve safety, and build self-care habits. Researchers will enroll 676 immigrant women to see if the app imp…

This study tests a new type of talk therapy for veterans and active service members who have both PTSD and a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). The therapy focuses on managing PTSD symptoms without asking participants to relive their traumatic experiences. The study w…

This study tests a new therapy called the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) Protocol for people with PTSD in Ukraine. The goal is to reduce distressing symptoms like flashbacks and anxiety without requiring patients to relive their trauma in detail. The study will invol…

This study tests whether a single dose of MDMA (the drug in ecstasy) can make a fast-paced therapy called Prolonged Exposure more effective for adults with PTSD. About 200 participants will receive either MDMA or a placebo during two weeks of intensive therapy. The goal is to see…

This study looks at how people with PTSD learn to avoid certain situations. Researchers will use brain scans and skin sensors to measure fear and stress responses during learning tasks. The goal is to understand the brain processes behind avoidance, not to test a treatment. About…

This study aims to understand how teenagers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience psychotherapy. Researchers will interview 65 teens, their parents, and therapists to learn what helps them change and heal. The goal is to improve therapy for young people by listeni…

This study looks at how a type of talk therapy called cognitive processing therapy (CPT) changes brain activity in people with PTSD who have trouble feeling pleasure. Researchers will use brain scans to see if therapy helps the brain's reward system work better. The goal is to un…

This study looks at how the brain and body respond during a type of talk therapy called Prolonged Exposure (PE) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Researchers will track changes in brain activity, stress levels, and PTSD symptoms in 50 adults before, during, and after 10 …

This study uses special eye cameras to take detailed pictures of the back of the eye in 2000 adults with and without brain diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. The goal is to find changes in the eye that might signal early signs of these conditions. No …

This study tests whether a phone-based check-in system can improve mental health outcomes for women who have experienced violence. Researchers will call some participants a few weeks after their forensic exam and offer support, while others receive standard care. The goal is to s…

This study looks at whether a short doctor rating (the CGI scale) given within 48 hours of a traumatic event can predict who will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later. About 241 French-speaking adults who recently experienced trauma will be assessed. The goal is to…

This study looks at how ketamine helps people with hard-to-treat depression and PTSD. Researchers will give a drug called perampanel along with ketamine to see if it changes the brain's response. About 50 adults with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments will join…

This study looks at whether a single IV dose of allopregnanolone, a natural brain chemical, can help people with PTSD better process traumatic memories during therapy. About 96 adults with chronic PTSD will receive either the drug or a placebo and then undergo memory tests. The g…

This study looks at how alcohol changes decision-making in people with PTSD, especially when they have to choose between a reward and a possible threat. Researchers will give alcohol or a placebo to 200 adults with PTSD and use brain scans to see how their brains react. The goal …

This study explores whether a non-invasive brain technique can weaken fear memories shortly after a traumatic event, potentially lowering the risk of developing PTSD. Researchers will use brain scans and skin responses to measure changes in 66 adults with PTSD. The goal is to und…

This study uses PET brain scans to measure cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in healthy volunteers and people with conditions like schizophrenia, cannabis dependence, PTSD, and opioid use disorder. Researchers aim to understand how these receptors differ across groups and how they cha…

This study looks at why people with PTSD often have higher heart disease risk. Researchers will test if two daily therapies—a breathing technique (DGB) or a mild nerve stimulation (tVNS)—can calm an overactive nervous system. About 120 veterans with or without PTSD will participa…

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called iTBS, combined with computer-based attention training, can improve focus and daily functioning in people with persistent attention problems after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), with or without …

This study aims to understand how ketamine reduces suicidal thoughts by testing whether blocking a specific brain receptor (AMPA) stops ketamine's effects. Thirty adults with depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD who have current suicidal thoughts will receive ketamine with eithe…

This study aims to see if a new technology combining brain stimulation (TMS) with brain imaging (fNIRS) can better personalize treatment dosing for people with PTSD, with or without mild traumatic brain injury. Researchers will measure brain activity directly to replace the curre…

This study looks at how a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) affects a person's quality of life and risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers will ask 40 adults who spent more than 48 hours in the ICU to fill out questionnaires about their experience and curre…

This study looks at how U.S. combat veterans with PTSD react to very brief images of combat scenes. Participants will view these images during a brain scan and rate their fear. The goal is to understand brain activity and awareness, not to treat PTSD. Healthy controls are also in…

This study aims to see if a carbon dioxide (CO2) breathing challenge can help predict which people with anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or panic disorder will not respond to exposure-based therapy. Researchers will enroll 600 adults aged 18 to 70. If successful, this simple test could help c…

This study tests whether a computer-based working memory training program can help veterans with PTSD learn to reduce fear responses. About 120 veterans will undergo memory training or a sham version, then have their brain activity and fear reactions measured. The goal is to see …

This study looks at how sleep and emotion processing are linked in teenagers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers will test if improving sleep quality can help teens feel better the next day. About 180 teens aged 15-18 will take part in sleep studies, surveys, …

This study looks at whether asking new mothers a few questions within 24-48 hours after an unplanned C-section can predict if they will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression months later. About 420 participants will fill out short questionnaires right after …

This study looks at why young women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a higher risk of heart disease later in life. Researchers will test if drinking beetroot juice, which is rich in nitrates, can improve blood vessel function in 30 premenopausal women who have expe…