Brain zaps and pen to paper: new PTSD therapy for veterans?

NCT ID NCT05149534

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether adding a noninvasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS to a brief writing therapy (WET) can better reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. About 98 veterans with PTSD will receive either real or fake rTMS before their writing sessions. Researchers will measure changes in PTSD severity and emotional flexibility to see if the combination works better than therapy alone.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and written exposure therapy (WET)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a more effective, shorter PTSD treatment for veterans by combining brain stimulation with a brief therapy.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with only 98 participants, and the sham group may also improve. rTMS can cause mild side effects like headache or scalp discomfort.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Emotional Regulation post-traumatic stress disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX
RECRUITING

Temple, Texas, 76504-7451, United States

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