Nerve block or talk therapy may prevent chronic pain in PTSD patients

NCT ID NCT05700279

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Rush University Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether reducing PTSD symptoms can prevent acute pain from turning into chronic pain. Researchers will give 345 adults either a nerve block injection (stellate ganglion block) or trauma-focused talk therapy (cognitive processing therapy). The goal is to see if these treatments lower pain intensity and PTSD symptoms 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: Stellate Ganglion Block (nerve block injection) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (talk therapy)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to prevent chronic pain by treating PTSD early, reducing long-term suffering.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with 345 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The nerve block carries risks like injection site pain or rare complications, and talk therapy may not work for all.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Acute Pain Chronic Pain post-traumatic stress disorder chronic pain syndrome prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CHRONIC PAIN PTSD

Contacts and locations

Locations

Rush University Medical Center
RECRUITING

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

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