Can a Stepped-Care approach make PTSD therapy more effective?

NCT ID NCT05457985

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Michigan Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether starting PTSD treatment with one type of talk therapy and then switching to another based on early progress leads to better symptom relief. About 430 adults receiving care at federally qualified health centers will take part. The study compares different sequences of prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy to see which approach works best.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: talk therapy (prolonged exposure for primary care and cognitive processing therapy)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a more efficient, personalized approach to PTSD treatment that uses fewer resources while still reducing symptoms.
What could go wrong: This is a behavioral intervention study, so results depend on participant engagement and may not apply to all PTSD patients. The therapies may not work better than standard care.

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.

post-traumatic stress disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PTSD

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cherry Health
RECRUITING

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, United States
CommUnityCare Health Centers
RECRUITING

Austin, Texas, 78702, United States
Family Care Health Centers
RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63111, United States
Family Health Care
TERMINATED

Baldwin, Michigan, 49304, United States
Family Medical Center of Michigan
RECRUITING

Monroe, Michigan, 48162, United States
Genesee Community Health Center
RECRUITING

Flint, Michigan, 48503, United States
Grace Health
RECRUITING

Battle Creek, Michigan, 49037, United States
Hamilton Community Health Network
RECRUITING

Flint, Michigan, 48503, United States
MidMichigan Community Health Services
RECRUITING

Houghton Lake, Michigan, 48629, United States
Sterling Area Health Center
RECRUITING

Sterling, Michigan, 48659, United States
Unity Care NW
RECRUITING

Bellingham, Washington, 98225, United States
Upper Great Lakes Family Health Care Center
RECRUITING

Menominee, Michigan, 49858, United States
Western North Carolina Community Health Services
RECRUITING

Asheville, North Carolina, 28801, United States

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