New ASL-Based therapy aims to tackle alcohol and trauma in deaf community

NCT ID NCT06278922

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

Summary

This study tests a therapy toolkit called Signs of Safety, designed for Deaf individuals who use American Sign Language and struggle with alcohol use disorder and PTSD. The toolkit adapts an existing therapy (Seeking Safety) to be Deaf-accessible. Researchers compare it to treatment as usual and a no-treatment control group in a nationwide virtual trial involving 144 participants.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Signs of Safety toolkit (behavioral therapy)

What this could lead to

If effective, this could provide a culturally and linguistically accessible treatment option for Deaf individuals with alcohol use disorder and PTSD, addressing a major health disparity.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small trial (144 participants) testing a behavioral intervention, so results may not generalize widely. The therapy may not outperform usual care or may have limited long-term benefits.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse alcohol dependence post-traumatic stress disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of Massachusetts Medical School

    RECRUITING

    Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••