Can a different type of talk therapy help PTSD as well as standard treatments?
NCT ID NCT00739765
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) works as well as two established treatments for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): prolonged exposure therapy and relaxation therapy. 110 adults with chronic PTSD took part, receiving weekly sessions over 14 weeks. The goal was to see if IPT, which focuses on improving relationships and social support, could be a good alternative for people who may not tolerate exposure-based therapies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- psychotherapy (interpersonal psychotherapy, prolonged exposure therapy, relaxation therapy)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that interpersonal psychotherapy is another effective option for treating chronic PTSD, expanding access to care.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed trial with 110 participants, so results are limited in size. Psychotherapy outcomes can vary widely between individuals, and the study may not prove one therapy is clearly better than others.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York, 10032, United States
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