Post-traumatic stress disorder

This study asks whether tapering and stopping certain psychotropic medications before intensive trauma-focused psychotherapy helps people with PTSD more than continuing those medications during therapy. Researchers will compare patients treated under a new medication-review polic…

Researchers are testing whether a personalized form of brain stimulation can ease symptoms in people with anxiety disorders that have not improved with standard treatments. The approach uses a device to deliver rapid magnetic pulses to specific brain circuits, guided by each pers…

This trial tests whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can engage the amygdala—the brain's fear center—in adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants receive either active or sham TMS every weekday for six weeks, guided by MRI to target a personalize…

This trial tests whether propranolol, a blood pressure drug, can reduce PTSD symptoms in women who have experienced severe violence. Participants take propranolol and then revisit their traumatic memories in a structured session with a psychologist. The study compares this approa…

This phase 2 trial is testing whether a one-day treatment combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with the drug D-cycloserine can help military personnel and veterans with PTSD. The study will enroll 50 participants who will receive either the active treatme…

This study is testing a new approach for young adults (ages 18-26) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have experienced childhood trauma. The treatment combines the substance MDMA with talk therapy sessions, known as MDMA-assisted therapy. The main goals are to see if t…

This phase 2 trial is testing whether a single day of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), combined with a dose of D-cycloserine, can help first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 50 participants will receive either the active treatment o…

This trial tests whether combining eye movements with different ways of reactivating a memory can reduce the frequency and distress of intrusive trauma memories in people with PTSD. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three procedures: unconscious trauma reactivation, ac…

This study tests whether a short couples therapy, called MERA-C, can help reduce intimate partner violence and improve emotional health in veteran couples. The therapy involves four weekly sessions with both partners, focusing on managing emotions to prevent aggression. Researche…

This trial explores whether personalized brain imaging can predict who responds best to three rapid-acting treatments for suicidal ideation in people with depression or PTSD. Participants receive either real-time brain feedback (neurofeedback), a form of magnetic brain stimulatio…

This study tests whether MDMA, combined with a type of talk therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), can help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military service members. Participants receive either a full or low dose of MDMA during therapy sessions. Th…

This study explores whether a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve through the ear can help people with PTSD learn to dampen fear responses. Participants will receive either active or sham stimulation while their body reactions (heart rate, sweat, startle) are meas…

This pilot study tests a behavioral program called CBITS-RTM, adapted for teens in juvenile detention. The program combines group and individual therapy to address post-traumatic stress and includes a module on racial trauma. Researchers want to see if it reduces PTSD symptoms an…

This pilot study will test a program that combines a trauma-focused therapy (STAIR) with peer-led HIV prevention (PrEP) support for transgender and nonbinary people who have experienced violence. The goal is to see if this combined approach is acceptable, feasible, and helps impr…

Researchers at a state hospital in Turkey are testing whether training an entire maternity unit in trauma-informed care changes the experience of childbirth. The program teaches hospital leaders, midwives, nurses, doctors, and support staff to communicate respectfully, protect wo…

This study tests a short, 4-session therapy for burn survivors and their caregivers to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The therapy, called Promotion of Emotional Disclosure for Burns (PoED-B), helps patients and their loved ones communicate better about the traumati…

This study tests whether a 4-hour resilience workshop can prevent PTSD and depression in 800 first responders in New York and Texas. Participants will be randomly assigned to the workshop or a control group and followed for one year. The goal is to see if the training helps them …

This study tests whether the blood pressure medication propranolol can prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women who have experienced sexual violence. 34 women will receive either propranolol or a placebo within 72 hours of the assault, then take it for about three w…

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina are testing a program that adds community health workers to standard trauma recovery services. The study enrolls 100 adult trauma patients who screen positive for PTSD or depression risk and report at least one unmet social …

This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with talk therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms in adults who have survived intimate partner violence. 76 participants will receive either a high or low dose and complete weekly th…

This trial tests whether an 8-day mindfulness body scan can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in adults who survived tidal flooding in Sayung, Demak, Indonesia. Participants will practice guided body scan meditation and have their blood tested for inflammation markers before…

This study tests whether adding a support person to a trauma-informed cognitive training program helps people with post-traumatic stress improve their daily functioning and reduce distress. The program, called TIGMT, teaches skills like attention, planning, and problem-solving, a…

This study tests a self-help program for 200 post-9/11 veterans who have depression or PTSD symptoms but are not in therapy. The program teaches healthy coping skills and how to find support services. Researchers will compare the self-help group to those receiving standard resour…

This pilot study tests whether psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is feasible, safe, and potentially helpful for military veterans with treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Twelve veterans will receive two psilocybin sessions (15 mg and 25 mg) within a structu…

This study looks at whether adding cannabis to standard talk therapy can help veterans with PTSD feel less anxious, depressed, or suicidal. About 280 veterans who have used cannabis before but not recently will take part. Researchers will track changes in PTSD symptoms, brain act…

This trial tests whether having family members write a digital diary during and after a loved one's ICU stay can help them cope with grief. Forty family members of ICU patients receiving life-sustaining treatment will be randomly assigned to either write a diary via WhatsApp or r…

This study tests an adapted version of a therapy called STAIR-NT, designed to help first responders who have both PTSD and a history of traumatic brain injury. The therapy combines skills training and narrative therapy to address emotional regulation and interpersonal issues. Res…

This trial tests whether a brief therapy called Written Exposure in Substance Treatment (WEST) can reduce PTSD symptoms in people staying at a residential substance use program. Participants with PTSD are randomly assigned to receive WEST plus usual care or usual care alone. The …

This pilot study tests a culturally adapted empowerment self-defense program for Indigenous women (including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Two Spirit individuals) who have experienced sexual violence and currently have moderate to severe depression or PTSD. The program teac…

This study explores whether a short, evidence-based therapy called Written Exposure Therapy (WET) can help pregnant and postpartum women who have PTSD and a history of substance misuse. Participants receive five weekly telehealth sessions where they write about a traumatic experi…

This study tests whether inhaling high-THC cannabis can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in 320 veterans. Participants will either receive active cannabis or a placebo with almost no THC. The goal is to see if cannabis helps with PTSD severity and daily functioning, providing real-wor…

This trial tests whether a culturally tailored mobile health program, called Self-Compassion, Health, and Empowerment (SHE), can improve mental health in Chinese immigrant women who have experienced intimate partner violence. Participants receive six weekly sessions covering safe…

This study tests whether a rapid, 5-day course of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. Ninety veterans with chronic PTSD who are still symptomatic despite ongoing treatment will receive either real TMS or a sham procedure. The goal is to s…

This trial is developing and testing a peer-led program called the Trauma Recovery Program for family members and significant others of people with borderline personality disorder. The program aims to reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms that can arise from living with or caring …

This study tests whether personalized feedback, based on real-time data from smartphones and wearable devices, can help Veterans with PTSD who use cannabis. The feedback aims to show how PTSD symptoms, cannabis use, and daily behaviors like sleep and activity are connected. The g…

This trial tests whether a wearable device that gently stimulates the vagus nerve through the ear can reduce pain and PTSD symptoms in veterans who have both conditions. Participants receive six sessions of a brief PTSD therapy along with either active or sham stimulation over fo…

This trial tests whether a meditation-based program called Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) can help veterans who have both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to either MRP or a health education group. The study measures …

This study tests whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS can make a standard talk therapy for PTSD work better. Military personnel and veterans with both PTSD and a history of mild to moderate traumatic brain injury will receive five weekly sessions of written ex…

This pilot study tests a version of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) that has been adapted to also address stress from lived experiences, such as discrimination or identity-related challenges. The trial enrolls sexual and gender minority adults with PTSD who report distress fro…

This study tests two psychological treatments—Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Moral Injury (ACT-MI) and Present Centered Therapy for Moral Injury (PCT-MI)—in 180 veterans who have experienced moral injury from warzone deployment. The goal is to see which therapy better help…

This study tests a computer-based cognitive training program called COGENT in veterans with PTSD. The program is designed to improve how people manage information in working memory, which may reduce cognitive disability and PTSD symptoms. Researchers will measure changes in think…

This study tests whether adding a type of brain stimulation called intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) can help adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who do not improve enough with standard eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy alone. Pa…

This study tests whether adding the sleep medication suvorexant to a shortened form of exposure therapy helps veterans with PTSD and insomnia. Participants take suvorexant or a placebo nightly for 8 weeks while attending weekly therapy sessions. Researchers measure changes in PTS…

This study tests whether a virtual debriefing session with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, held six to eight weeks after a delivery complicated by severe maternal morbidity (such as ICU admission or major blood transfusion), can lower symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depr…

This early-stage trial at the University of Chicago tests whether Adderall, a drug used for ADHD, can improve social interactions in people with PTSD. About 40 adults aged 18-65 will receive either Adderall or a placebo and rate their conversations. The goal is to see if this dru…

This study tests whether a structured debriefing session within 24 hours after a difficult birth can reduce post-traumatic stress and improve the birth experience. About 142 women who had an unexpected or adverse event during labor will be split into two groups: one gets usual ca…

This study tests a two-session Zoom-based therapy designed to change beliefs about mental health treatment in Deaf adults who are not currently in care. Researchers will compare those who receive the therapy to a waitlist group to see if it increases treatment-seeking and reduces…

This study tests a 12-week telehealth program called PARTNER-MH, where trained peer specialists help minoritized veterans navigate mental health care, address social needs, and improve communication with clinicians. The trial will enroll 268 veterans with depression, anxiety, or …

This study tests a sleep treatment called TranS-C, adapted for veterans with PTSD and sleep problems. The goal is to improve sleep, reduce nightmares, and help veterans function better in daily life. 182 veterans will receive either the sleep treatment or usual care to see if it …

This study tests whether suvorexant, a medication already approved for insomnia, can help Veterans with PTSD and sleep problems better unlearn fear responses. About 40 Veterans will take either suvorexant or a placebo for 7 nights while researchers measure their skin responses to…

This study tests whether a stellate ganglion block—a local anesthetic injection near nerves in the neck—can improve sleep and reduce stress in people with PTSD. Sixty adults with PTSD will receive two injections two weeks apart, and their sleep will be tracked with a smart ring f…

This study tests whether the psychedelic drug psilocybin, combined with talk therapy, can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in Georgia military veterans. 150 veterans will be randomly assigned to different therapy approaches to compare results. The goal is to see if this combination is…

This Phase 2 study tests whether the antidepressant vilazodone can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in 200 active-duty service members, veterans, and civilians. Participants receive either vilazodone or a placebo for 12 weeks, with symptom severity measured using a standard PTSD scale…

This study tests whether a 10-week virtual group therapy, where people write about their traumatic experiences, can reduce PTSD symptoms in adults who also have borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits. The therapy is called Group Extended Written Exposure Therapy (GE-WET). R…

This study tests whether a therapy that uses MDMA (the active ingredient in ecstasy) can safely reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms in frontline healthcare workers and first responders. About 30 participants will receive the drug alongside talk therapy sessions. The goal is to …

This study tests whether combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with expressive writing can reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms in adults. Forty-five participants who have experienced a traumatic event will be split into three groups: rTMS before writing,…

This study tests a single 90-minute therapy session for teens aged 13-18 who have experienced trauma and are waiting for longer treatment. The session teaches coping skills and understanding of trauma cues. About 40 teens in New Zealand will take part to see if this approach is p…

This study tests whether a special smartwatch can improve sleep in warfighters who have trouble sleeping due to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or stress. The watch detects signs of stress during sleep, like a fast heart rate, and gives gentle vibrations to calm the body without wa…

This study tests whether a type of cognitive training called Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR) can improve thinking skills in people with various psychiatric conditions like depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD, and autism. Participants will complete computer exercise…

This study tests a personalized form of brain stimulation (PrTMS) for PTSD in 100 military veterans. Unlike standard treatments, it uses an EEG brainwave test to customize the therapy to each person. Participants will receive either active treatment or a sham version over 6 weeks…

This study tests whether a smartphone app called SOLOMIYA is helpful and easy to use for people living under the stress of war in Ukraine. About 80 adults with mild to moderate depression or sleep problems will use the app for a few weeks. The app provides relaxation exercises, m…

This study tests whether 8 sessions of cognitive processing therapy (CPT), delivered online, can help women and birthing people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a traumatic childbirth. The trial will enroll 29 participants to see if the therapy is practical, ac…

This study tests if a therapy called EMDR can reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms in parents whose baby was in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). About 80 parents with PTSD symptoms will be randomly assigned to get EMDR right away or after a waiting period. The goal is to…

This study tests whether a structured program where relatives provide sight, sound, touch, and smell stimulation to brain-injured ICU patients can reduce post-traumatic stress in those relatives. 200 family members will be trained and supervised to deliver the stimulation during …

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS, combined with computer-based cognitive training, can improve memory, attention, and multitasking in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Forty-six veterans will receive either real or …

This phase 3 trial tests whether a slow-release form of melatonin can improve sleep in 120 children and adolescents (ages 2-17.5) with PTSD who have significant sleep disturbances. Participants will receive either melatonin or a placebo for 13 weeks. The study aims to see if mela…

This study tests a personalized version of a therapy called Stepped Care Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children who have experienced trauma. The therapy is adapted for Latino families and involves caregivers helping their children through a step-by-step process. Researchers wi…

This pilot study tests a personalized version of stepped-care cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD in Latino children aged 7-12. The therapy involves a caregiver-led first step with therapist support, followed by more intensive therapy if needed. The goal is to see if adapting t…

This early-stage study tests a brief couples therapy for 80 Veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Veterans receive individual treatment while attending 3-4 sessions with their romantic partner. The goal is to see if involving loved ones improves treatment satisfaction and …

This study will test a one-day acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program for 50 veterans who have both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. The goal is to see if this brief therapy can improve their quality of lif…

This study compares a new trauma-focused therapy (MBT-TF) with standard therapy for adults who have both borderline personality disorder and complex PTSD. The goal is to see if the new approach is practical and helpful for reducing symptoms. Forty participants will be followed fo…

This study looks at whether community health workers (CHWs) can effectively provide a mental health program to Spanish-speaking Latine parents who have symptoms of depression, anxiety, or traumatic stress. About 52 parents will either get the program right away or after a 5-month…

This study explores whether aquatic therapy can help veterans with PTSD. Fifty participants will receive 16 weeks of one-on-one sessions in a warm pool, followed by 16 weeks of group exercises. Researchers will measure changes in PTSD symptoms, sleep, and quality of life to see i…

This study tests whether EMDR group therapy can help adults who experienced the April 2025 Silivri earthquake in Turkey. Forty participants will be randomly assigned to either the therapy group or a waitlist. Researchers will measure changes in PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep qu…

This study aims to see if peer support can help pregnant and postpartum veterans who have serious mental illness. Researchers will develop a program where trained peer specialists offer support, then test it with 24 veterans to see if it is helpful and practical. The goal is to i…

This pilot study will test whether a smartphone app that teaches cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) can improve sleep in 144 active-duty service members. Participants will use the app for five weeks, and researchers will measure changes in insomnia severity, depress…

This study tests whether adding a device that turns body movements into sound can help people with acute stress disorder (ASD) feel more connected to themselves. Thirty adults who recently experienced a traumatic event will receive standard therapy plus this 'movement sonificatio…

This Phase 2a trial will test whether PT150, a drug that blocks a stress-related receptor, can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in 120 US veterans. Participants will receive either PT150 or a placebo for several weeks, and researchers will track changes in PTSD severity and side effec…

This study tests a one-week course of brain stimulation (called iTBS) for veterans who have both PTSD and chronic pain. Thirty veterans will receive 5-6 short sessions each day for five days, with no placebo group. Researchers will track changes in PTSD symptoms, pain, mood, and …

This pilot study will test a new type of talk therapy called ACT-SHARE for veterans who have both PTSD and alcohol problems and are struggling with conflict in their romantic relationships. The therapy aims to help veterans manage difficult thoughts and feelings and take actions …

This study will test a mobile app designed to help veterans who have both PTSD and depression. The app teaches skills to manage emotions and relationships, based on a proven talk therapy. Forty veterans will use the app and answer surveys to see if it improves their daily functio…

This study tests whether virtual reality (VR) can help people cope with trauma from COVID-19. It involves 100 adults, including healthcare workers and COVID-19 survivors, who will try VR exposure therapy in 5 weekly sessions. The goal is to see if this approach reduces PTSD sympt…

This study tests a therapy called CFTSI for children aged 7 to 17 who have experienced a traumatic event in the last 3 months. The goal is to see if CFTSI reduces post-traumatic stress symptoms better than standard supportive therapy. 140 children and their families will take par…

Researchers at Emile Muller Hospital in Mulhouse, France, want to estimate how many mothers develop post-traumatic stress disorder after giving birth. About 1,000 women who deliver at the hospital are asked to fill out the City Birth Trauma Scale and a short survey about their he…

This study aims to develop and pilot a program for people with HIV in South Africa who also face depression, trauma, and food insecurity. Researchers will first explore how these problems interact, then create a treatment called CBT-SA that combines therapy, nutrition support, an…

This study looks at whether mindfulness-based stress reduction can help Black teenage girls who have been involved with the justice system and their parents or caregivers. About 90 participants will report on stress, PTSD symptoms, and other outcomes before and after the program.…

This study works with 40 veterans who have PTSD to understand why many don't start recommended therapies like CPT or PE. Researchers will look at the treatments veterans try first and how that affects their next steps. The goal is to create a program that helps veterans get the r…

This study explores whether brain activity and sleep patterns can predict how well people with PTSD respond to Written Exposure Therapy, a brief therapy involving structured writing about a traumatic event. About 200 adults with PTSD will be randomly assigned to either this thera…

This study asks whether routine medical data can predict which survivors of an emergency intensive care unit (EICU) stay will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) one month after leaving the hospital. Researchers will follow about 800 adult patients, collecting details f…

This study explores whether estrogen influences how the brain processes fear, focusing on postmenopausal women who experience natural declines in the hormone. Participants will take an estradiol tablet and undergo brain scans while viewing shapes that sometimes predict a mild ele…

This study asks whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) influences how well epilepsy surgery works. Researchers will follow 42 adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy for two years after surgery, comparing seizure freedom and quality of life between those with and without…

This study investigates the experiences of healthcare professionals, patients, and families in high-acuity hospital settings like emergency rooms and intensive care units. Researchers aim to understand less visible contributions such as teaching, coordination, and emotional suppo…

This study looks at moral injury—a type of distress that happens when workers cannot act according to their values—among healthcare professionals in psychiatric facilities in the PACA region of France. Researchers will survey about 2,688 workers to understand what causes this suf…

This pilot study will examine whether certain genes related to serotonin are linked to gut bacteria that process tryptophan in adults with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or panic disorder. Thirty participants will provide saliva and stool samples from home. The goal is to gather info…

This study tests whether a wrist-worn biosensor can detect changes in the body's stress response during ketamine-assisted therapy for PTSD. Five adults will wear the device before, during, and after therapy sessions. The goal is to see if a specific pattern of nervous system acti…

This study follows 75 volunteer first responders who are alerted via a smartphone app to help in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Researchers want to understand how these stressful events affect the volunteers' mental health and whether a structured follow-up conversation can hel…

This study tests a web-based toolkit that helps healthcare providers screen for intimate partner violence and mental health issues in patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder. About 792 patients and their providers will use the toolkit during routine care to see if it…

This study examines how 180 adolescents aged 14-18 with trauma-related symptoms react to stress and strong emotions. Researchers will measure brain activity, heart rate, and anxiety while teens repeatedly imagine details of their own traumatic event. The goal is to understand whi…

This observational study will follow 250 adults treated in the emergency department for major trauma. Researchers want to see if early factors like thinking flexibility, social support, and stress levels can predict who develops PTSD within 6 months. Participants fill out questio…

This study follows 300 Ukrainian veterans who lost a limb in combat to see if longer evacuation times or extended tourniquet use increase the risk of developing PTSD. Participants will be monitored for 18 months using PTSD symptom questionnaires. The goal is to identify factors t…

This study follows 150 adults with severe arm or leg injuries that required a tourniquet to stop bleeding. Researchers will track how long the tourniquet was used and check for pain, nerve damage, and recovery over 6 months. The goal is to see if longer tourniquet use increases t…

This study looks back at data from 80 veterans and first responders who completed a 12-week program that combined mental health support, physical therapy, nutrition advice, and occupational therapy. Researchers want to see if the program helped improve sleep, anxiety, depression,…

This study looks at how trauma exposure relates to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in teenagers aged 11 to 17 who are in psychiatric hospitals. Researchers will compare teens admitted for suicide attempts with those admitted for other reasons. They will use questionnaires and blo…

This study is creating a decision-support tool called CRAFTT to help therapists tailor mental health treatments to the cultural values and experiences of Latine youth (ages 5-15). The goal is to improve how well these treatments work and reduce mental health disparities. Research…

This study looks at how two types of noninvasive brain stimulation affect brain activity and the body's stress system in people with both PTSD and major depression. Fifty adults will receive both active and sham stimulation in random order, with brain and heart measurements taken…

This study looks at how a brief writing therapy called Written Exposure Therapy (WET) works for people with both PTSD and substance use disorders who are in residential treatment. About 108 participants will either do WET or neutral writing alongside their usual care. Researchers…

This study looks at ways to help VA medical centers put proven health programs into practice for women Veterans in midlife. The programs focus on heart health, weight management, diabetes, mental health, and menopause care. Researchers will test two support strategies at 18 VA si…