Can a phone call ease warzone headaches? new trial tests virtual therapy for veterans

NCT ID NCT05620719

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered via telemedicine can reduce headache-related disability in 525 veterans and service members with chronic posttraumatic headache after a mild or moderate brain injury. Participants will be randomly assigned to in-person CBT, telemedicine CBT, or usual care. The goal is to see if virtual therapy works as well as in-person sessions, potentially expanding access to care.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that telemedicine-based CBT is as effective as in-person therapy, making it easier for veterans to access care for chronic headaches.
What could go wrong: This is a behavioral intervention study, not a drug trial, so benefits may be modest. The results depend on participant engagement, and telemedicine may not work as well for everyone.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Chronic Pain Headache Post-Traumatic Headache

As listed by the trial registrant

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

POSTTRAUMATIC HEADACHE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brooke Army Medical Center
RECRUITING

San Antonio, Texas, 78234, United States
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (Fort Cavazos)
RECRUITING

Killeen, Texas, 76544, United States
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
RECRUITING

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417, United States
South Texas Veterans Health Care System
RECRUITING

San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
Tripler Army Medical Center (Desmond Doss Health Clinic, Schofield Barracks)
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Honolulu, Hawaii, 96819, United States
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
RECRUITING

Los Angeles, California, 90073, United States
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
RECRUITING

Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
WITHDRAWN

Bethesda, Maryland, 20889, United States

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