STRESS DISORDERS, POST-TRAUMATIC

This study tested a treatment called CPT-SMART that combines PTSD therapy, smoking cessation counseling, medication, and financial incentives to help veterans quit smoking. 120 veteran smokers with PTSD were randomly assigned to either the full program or a control group. The goa…

This study tested whether an electronic self-report screening system (eScreening) helps VA clinics detect depression, PTSD, alcohol problems, and suicide risk more quickly and more often in newly enrolled post-9/11 veterans. Researchers compared screening rates and referral times…

This study tests whether adding the blood pressure medication propranolol to cognitive processing therapy (a type of talk therapy) helps people with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. About 48 adults aged 18 to 70 with both conditions will receiv…

This study tested a shorter version of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Veterans with PTSD. Many Veterans drop out of the standard 12-session therapy, missing the most helpful parts. The goal was to find which therapy components work best and deliver them in fewer sessions …

This study tested whether using magnetic pulses (rTMS) on the brain while people recall their traumatic memories can reduce PTSD symptoms. 39 adults with PTSD for at least 3 months received either 10Hz or 1Hz rTMS over 2 weeks. Researchers measured changes in PTSD severity using …

This study tested a type of group therapy called Resilience-Oriented Therapy (RoT) for adults in Rwanda who were struggling with mental health issues like trauma, depression, anxiety, or anger. 427 people took part, and the therapy was tailored to each person's main problem, such…

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 whether tailored online writing exercises could help sexual minority women, transgender, and nonbinary people who have experienced trauma. The goal was to reduce PTSD symptoms and heavy drinking. 131 participants completed the writing program and were followed f…

This study tested a behavioral sleep treatment in 36 veterans who have PTSD, insomnia, and sleep apnea. The goal was to see if improving sleep also improves quality of life and daily functioning. Participants attended therapy sessions and reported their sleep and well-being throu…

This study tested a 10-week group therapy program called START-PTSD for 45 veterans with PTSD who had declined standard trauma-focused treatment. The therapy helps veterans identify and gradually reduce 'safety aids'—behaviors like avoiding certain places or using mental distract…

This study tested a new way to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans and active-duty service members. Instead of relying on talk therapy, which can be stressful and has high dropout rates, researchers used a device called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) …

This study tested a new therapy called Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) for people with PTSD. Unlike standard treatments that focus on trauma, PPMT helps patients recall and describe positive memories. 70 adults with PTSD were randomly assigned to either PPMT or s…

This study tested a program called Multi-Family Healing Spaces for families affected by the Rwandan genocide. 319 family members aged 12 and older from five districts took part. The program aimed to improve family communication, resilience, and mental health. Results will show if…

This study tested a 10-item questionnaire called DEPITAC, designed for nurses to screen road traffic accident patients for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while they are still in the surgical unit. Researchers enrolled 274 hospitalized accident victims to see if the simple …

This small study tested whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called HD-tDCS could improve the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for people with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Twenty participants received either real or fake stimulation daily for five weeks whil…

This study looked at whether a 5-session class teaching cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills can increase a brain pattern linked to resilience against PTSD. It involved 30 public safety personnel (like police or firefighters) who were already in a larger study. Researchers u…

This study monitored the sleep of 48 veterans with trauma-related nightmares using in-home devices. Researchers aimed to understand how nightmares affect sleep and how they change with cognitive-behavioral therapy. The goal is to improve personalized care for veterans suffering f…

This study looked at how psychological trauma affects memory and brain function in teenagers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers used MRI scans to compare brain activity in 19 adolescents with PTSD and healthy teens. The goal was to understand the brain areas …

This study tested whether a brain wave measurement called mismatch negativity (MMN) can help match veterans with mental illness to the most effective cognitive training program. 100 veterans with conditions like schizophrenia, PTSD, or mood disorders participated. The goal was to…

This study tested whether giving PTSD therapy several times a week (massed) helps veterans stay in treatment better than once-a-week sessions. Thirty veterans with PTSD were randomly assigned to either massed or weekly therapy. Researchers measured how many completed treatment an…

This study tested whether keeping a hospital diary during a child's stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) could improve mental health outcomes for families. Over 400 families participated across four PICUs in Rio de Janeiro. Researchers measured anxiety, depression, PT…

This study looks at 125 patients who were in the ICU, on a breathing machine and sedated for at least 48 hours. Researchers want to see how many have trouble with thinking or memory four months after leaving the hospital. Patients will talk to a psychologist before leaving the IC…

This study looked at the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in intensive care units. Over 700 doctors, nurses, and aides completed questionnaires about post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. The goal was to measure how common the…

This study followed 38 adults who survived severe breathing failure from the 2009 H1N1 flu. Researchers compared those who needed a machine to oxygenate their blood (ECMO) with those who did not. They measured lung function, quality of life, and mental health at least 9 months af…