PTSD

This study tested a program that combines small loans and group support to help people with HIV in Kenya. The goal was to improve HIV medication adherence, mental health, and family relationships. 843 people took part, and the program aimed to reduce depression, anxiety, and PTSD…

This study tested whether a single dose of hydrocortisone, given within 6 hours of a traumatic event, could prevent PTSD. 201 trauma survivors from two hospitals received either hydrocortisone or a placebo. Researchers tracked their mental health for 28 weeks to see if the drug r…

This study tested whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) — a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain areas — can improve daily functioning in veterans with PTSD. Researchers compared real TMS to a sham (fake) treatment in 59 veterans.…

This study tested a brief, community-based psychological program called Problem Management Plus to see if it can reduce depression, anxiety, and distress. Over 1,200 adults with mild to moderate symptoms took part. The program focuses on practical problem-solving skills in just f…

This study tested whether a smartphone app could help people with PTSD quit smoking and avoid starting again. Participants received counseling, stop-smoking medications, and rewards for not smoking, plus the app. The goal was to see if the app made it easier to stay smoke-free co…

This study tested a personalized treatment plan for 3 mothers and their young children (ages 4-6) who experienced domestic violence and were living in a shelter. The plan included trauma therapy (EMDR) for the parent and child, plus attachment-based therapy, in an order tailored …

This study tested a 5-week behavioral therapy for women who experienced sexual assault and use alcohol. The therapy combines writing about the trauma with skills to manage alcohol cravings. Researchers measured changes in drinking habits and PTSD symptoms. The goal is to see if e…

This completed study tested two common PTSD treatments head-to-head: EMDR therapy (a talking therapy with eye movements) and SSRI antidepressants. Sixty adults with PTSD were randomly assigned to one treatment for six weeks. Researchers measured how many people achieved symptom r…

This study looked at whether adding cannabidiol (CBD) to prolonged exposure therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms in military veterans. 136 veterans took either CBD or a placebo alongside their therapy sessions. The goal was to see if CBD helps improve treatment outcomes.

This pilot study tested whether a single 2-hour breathwork session could help veterans with PTSD. 36 adults took part in a group training led by a certified instructor, followed by a 30-minute talk with a psychologist. The main goal was to see if the approach was practical and ac…

This study tested a weight management program called MOVE!+UP, designed specifically for veterans with PTSD who are overweight or obese. The program adds extra support to standard PTSD care to help overcome barriers like stress and unhealthy habits. Researchers compared it to the…

This study tested whether low-intensity focused ultrasound, aimed at the amygdala (a brain area linked to emotions), could reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Twenty-nine adults received daily 10-minute sessions for three weeks. Researchers measure…

This study tested whether an adapted form of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is acceptable and helpful for adults with mild learning disabilities who have experienced trauma. Thirteen participants completed the therapy, which involved talking through their life events in a struc…

This study tested a group therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for incarcerated men and women with PTSD. 117 participants were either given the therapy or placed on a waitlist. The main goal was to see if the therapy reduced PTSD symptoms, with secondary goals of red…

This study tested whether breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) can help adults with PTSD from combat or terror. Thirty people who had PTSD for at least 4 years and hadn't improved with standard treatments received 60 daily sessions. Researche…

This study tested a group-based writing therapy for Chinese teenagers with PTSD or complex PTSD. 53 teens took part, with some receiving the therapy right away and others placed on a waiting list. The therapy involved 5 to 8 group sessions where participants wrote about their tra…

This pilot study tested a short psychological program called Problem Management Plus (PM+) in 64 refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland. The program, developed by the World Health Organization, uses simple techniques like problem-solving and stress management to reduce psycho…

This study tested a wearable device called NightWare that uses an Apple Watch to detect when a person is having a nightmare and gently vibrates to wake them just enough to stop the nightmare without fully waking them. The trial included 270 veterans and active-duty service member…

This study tested a program called EMPOWER for veterans who completed trauma-focused therapy for PTSD and saw improvement. The program includes a workbook and four therapist check-ins over 12 weeks to help veterans manage symptoms on their own. Researchers wanted to see if it cou…

This study tested a group writing therapy for Chinese teenagers with PTSD. 53 teens took part, with some getting the therapy and others on a waiting list. The goal was to see if writing about their trauma in a group setting could ease PTSD symptoms. Results suggest it may help, b…

This study tested whether adding oxytocin (a natural hormone) to standard talk therapy helps Veterans with PTSD feel better faster and stay in treatment longer. About 180 Veterans took part, receiving either oxytocin or a placebo alongside therapy sessions. The goal was to see if…

This study tested a new way to make nightmare therapy more effective for people with PTSD. 46 adults practiced changing their nightmares during the day (imagery rehearsal therapy). While they slept, half of them heard a sound linked to their new, positive dream ending. The idea w…

This study tested whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a proven treatment for trauma, can help people recently diagnosed with HIV. Forty participants were split into two groups: one received standard medical care plus weekly EMDR for up to 6 month…

This pilot study tested whether adding a type of brain stimulation called TMS to an intensive 2-week PTSD program could improve symptoms in veterans. Six participants received daily TMS sessions alongside their regular therapy. The study measured changes in PTSD and depression sy…

This study looked at whether adding a brief writing therapy called Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to a standard 28-day residential addiction program helps veterans with both PTSD and substance use disorders. Fifty-six veterans were randomly assigned to either standard care alone …

This study looked at whether taking estrogen pills along with a type of talk therapy called prolonged exposure (PE) can improve PTSD symptoms in women. 83 women aged 18-45 with PTSD took part. They were randomly assigned to receive either estrogen or a placebo pill with their the…

This study tested whether a group therapy program for PTSD, led by people who have themselves been incarcerated, is helpful and practical. Fifty-nine adults who had completed a prison or jail sentence and had PTSD symptoms took part in a 12-session cognitive processing therapy gr…

This small study tested whether MDMA, combined with talk therapy, could help veterans with PTSD and their intimate partners. Sixteen couples took part. The goal was to see if this approach could reduce PTSD symptoms and improve relationship satisfaction. Results are not yet avail…

This study looked at whether veterans with PTSD would find a wearable device called Apollo acceptable and easy to use. The device delivers gentle vibrations at different times of day. 63 veterans used it for about 6 weeks, and researchers checked how credible and satisfying they …

This study tested whether repeated doses of ketamine, an FDA-approved anesthetic, could speed up the effects of talk therapy (Prolonged Exposure) for PTSD in 75 veterans. Participants received either ketamine or a placebo alongside therapy. The goal was to see if ketamine could r…

This study tested whether using virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy could prevent anxiety, depression, and PTSD in people recovering from a lung transplant in the ICU. 62 adults on the lung transplant waiting list participated. They used a VR headset to gradually get used to st…

This study looks at 65 veterans with PTSD who use cannabis frequently. Researchers want to see if reducing cannabis use improves their daily functioning, mental health, and quality of life. No treatment or drug is given—participants simply report their cannabis use and well-being…

This study tested whether offering tai chi classes online is a practical way to help veterans with PTSD and chronic pain. Researchers worked with 42 veterans to see if they would attend sessions and find the program satisfactory. The goal was to gather information needed to desig…

This study tested whether a training program called Modeling to Learn (MTL) helps clinic staff improve how many veterans start and finish evidence-based treatments for PTSD, depression, and opioid use disorder. The program uses computer simulations to let staff try out changes to…

This completed study looked at 168 adults with a history of trauma to see if PTSD harms blood vessel function, which could raise heart disease risk. Participants completed behavioral tasks measuring fear and attention, and had their blood vessel health checked. The goal is to und…

This study looked at why Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) helps people with PTSD. Unlike most PTSD therapies, IPT does not involve re-living traumatic memories. Instead, it focuses on improving relationships and emotional awareness. Researchers measured emotional awareness in 29…

This completed Phase 3 substudy looked at whether MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can change how stress-related genes work in people with PTSD. Researchers collected saliva samples from 45 participants before and after treatment to measure changes in gene activity. The goal was to se…

This study tested a new Dutch questionnaire designed to measure how people with PTSD think about their trauma—specifically, whether they blame themselves, feel a loss of control, or see the trauma as affecting everything in their lives. Researchers enrolled 530 participants, incl…

This study tested whether brain wave patterns during sleep can detect PTSD and measure how severe it is. Researchers studied 26 veterans with PTSD using EEG recordings. The goal is to create an objective test that goes beyond questionnaires and doctor assessments.

This study looked at whether the timing of mild brain stimulation (tDCS) can help people with PTSD better learn that a once-feared situation is now safe. 62 adults with PTSD received either real or fake stimulation during different phases of a fear-learning task. The goal was to …

This study looked at whether a single 20-minute aerobic exercise session could help women with PTSD symptoms regulate emotions and improve cognitive control. Sixty-seven women were randomly assigned to either exercise or silent sitting. Researchers measured brain activity and sel…

This study looked at whether a simple questionnaire called the City Birth Trauma Scale (CityBiTS) can accurately identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childbirth. Researchers recruited 67 women who had given birth, had them fill out the questionnaire, and then…