Brain scans and heart rate may reveal why PTSD therapy works

NCT ID NCT05788302

First seen Nov 15, 2025 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 29 times

Summary

This study looks at how prolonged exposure therapy helps people with PTSD. Researchers will track 50 adults over 17 weeks, using brain scans, heart rate, and questionnaires before, during, and after treatment. The goal is to understand the mechanisms behind the therapy, not to test if it works.

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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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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

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

  • Contact

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

Locations

  • MGH

    RECRUITING

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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

What this could mean

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

Active substance

prolonged exposure therapy

What this could lead to

If successful, this study could reveal how and why prolonged exposure therapy works for PTSD, helping to improve and personalize treatment.

What could go wrong

This is a small pilot study (50 people) focused on understanding mechanisms, not proving effectiveness. Results may not apply to everyone with PTSD.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

post-traumatic stress disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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