Could treating sleep apnea help veterans beat PTSD and addiction?

NCT ID NCT05156112

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study looks at whether treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) early with a positive airway pressure (PAP) device can improve outcomes for veterans with both PTSD and substance use disorder. About 194 veterans in a residential treatment program will either receive PAP therapy right away or be placed on a waitlist. Researchers will measure changes in daily functioning, substance use, PTSD symptoms, and suicidal thoughts over time.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to improve mental health and substance use outcomes by treating sleep apnea early in residential treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small, early-stage study with no blinding, so results may not be conclusive or generalizable. PAP adherence can be low, which could limit effectiveness.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

obstructive sleep apnea syndrome post-traumatic stress disorder substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
RECRUITING

San Diego, California, 92161-0002, United States

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