Art therapy tested as a new way to ease PTSD in soldiers

NCT ID NCT05414708

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether art therapy can help active-duty military and recent veterans who have PTSD symptoms. Forty participants will attend 11 sessions over 6-8 months, including art therapy with a certified therapist and two MRI brain scans. The goal is to see if art therapy improves emotional expression and regulation, and how it affects brain activity.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Art therapy
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment for PTSD that helps people better understand and manage their emotions.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study with only 40 people, so results may not apply to everyone. It also relies on self-reported feelings and brain scans, which may not show clear benefits.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ANGER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

combat disorder Emotional Regulation Parasomnias Post-Traumatic Headache post-traumatic stress disorder sleep disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANGER COMBAT AND OPERATIONAL STRESS REACTION COMBAT STRESS DISORDERS EMOTION PROCESSING EMOTIONAL REGULATION IRRITABLE MOOD MILITARY ACTIVITY MILITARY FAMILY MILITARY OPERATIONS NIGHTMARE POST TRAUMATIC HEADACHE POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, DELAYED ONSET PTSD SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Contacts and locations

Locations

ISC at Fort Belvoir
RECRUITING

Fort Belvoir, Virginia, 22060, United States
National Intrepid Center of Excellence
RECRUITING

Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.