POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

This study looks at whether treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) early with a positive airway pressure (PAP) device can improve outcomes for veterans with both PTSD and substance use disorder. About 194 veterans in a residential treatment program will either receive PAP therapy…

This study tests whether MDMA-assisted therapy can help veterans with both PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Eighty veterans will receive either a full dose of MDMA or a low-dose placebo during three therapy sessions. Researchers will measure changes in PTSD symptoms and drinking ha…

This study looks at two different sedative medicines given to children on breathing machines in the ICU. The goal is to see which one causes less confusion (delirium) and helps the brain recover better. About 372 children up to age 11 will take part. The results could change how …

This study tests whether community health workers can help adults with chronic diseases get up-to-date on COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Participants receive up to three counseling sessions in English or Spanish to address their vaccine concerns. The goal is to reduce health disparit…

This study tests an online therapy called CIPE for people who recently experienced a traumatic event and show early signs of PTSD. The therapy involves four online modules with therapist support, focusing on exposure and coping techniques. Researchers will compare those who recei…

This study tests whether a simple breathing exercise called cardiac coherence can help prevent chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people who recently experienced a traumatic event. Researchers will enroll 44 adults with acute stress disorder and teach them the breat…

This study tests a web-based program called webSTAIR, which teaches emotion regulation and relationship skills, for female veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma or intimate partner violence and also have a brain injury. The goal is to see if it helps them manage em…

This pilot study tests whether a short, video-based sleep therapy can help prevent PTSD and depression in people who recently had a car accident. Twenty adults at high risk for PTSD will receive either the sleep therapy or a control session over three weeks. The goal is to see if…

This study is redesigning a proven therapy for childhood trauma (TF-CBT) to make it easier for school counselors and social workers to use. Researchers will work with providers and students to create a version that fits school settings better. The goal is to improve how often the…

This phase 2 study is testing whether fluoxetine, a widely used antidepressant, can reduce PTSD symptoms in 800 adults including active-duty service members, veterans, and civilians. Participants receive either fluoxetine or a placebo for 12 weeks, and researchers measure changes…

This study tests whether a breathing technique called heart rate variability biofeedback can ease persistent symptoms after a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). The trial will include 148 veterans who have had a concussion more than a year ago and still struggle with sympt…

This Stanford study tests whether having a dream while under anesthesia can reduce PTSD symptoms. In a small Phase 2 trial, 42 adults with PTSD will receive either deep sedation to trigger dreaming or light sedation without dreaming. Researchers will compare changes in PTSD sever…

This study tests a computer program called COGENT, designed to improve thinking skills like memory and attention in people with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. 128 adults will be randomly assigned to either the COGENT training or a sham program. Researchers will compare changes in …

This pilot study tests whether trauma-focused therapy delivered via videoconference is feasible and acceptable for adults with PTSD or complex PTSD. Researchers will enroll 13 people from community mental health services in Chile. The study focuses on whether people will join, st…

This study tests whether a single intravenous dose of allopregnanolone, compared to a placebo, can help people with PTSD better process and reduce the power of traumatic memories. The trial involves 96 adults with chronic PTSD and uses skin conductance and startle responses to me…

This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with mindfulness-based therapy can help ease symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 30 adults with PTSD will receive the drug along with either standard suppo…

This study looks at how to best help veterans with PTSD who are struggling with a common therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). It compares two approaches: either helping them stick with CPT and improve their skills, or switching to a different therapy called Present …

This study tests a fast-dissolving film (BXCL501) given in the emergency room after a car crash. The goal is to see if it can reduce immediate stress symptoms and prevent long-term PTSD. About 100 adults who are at high risk will take the film for two weeks and be monitored for s…

This study tests whether sitting in front of a bright light for 60 minutes each morning can improve sleep in veterans who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and may also have PTSD. About 200 veterans will wear a sleep tracker and fill out questionnaires before, during, and a…

This study tests a mental health program designed specifically for Venezuelan migrants living in Lima, Peru. The program uses cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques adapted to their culture and is delivered online by trained community members. Researchers will enroll 90 adults t…

This study tests a digital program called BSHAPE for immigrant women who have experienced violence and struggle with PTSD or depression. The program offers education, skill-building, and mindfulness to reduce stress and improve safety. Researchers will compare it to a general wel…

This study is testing whether adopting and training a shelter dog can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve mental health in veterans. 120 veterans with self-reported PTSD or other mental health conditions will attend eight one-hour dog training sessions over 10 weeks. Researchers wil…

This Phase 3 trial tests whether Silexan, a lavender oil extract available over-the-counter, can reduce PTSD symptoms in adults. 278 participants will take Silexan or a placebo daily for 12 weeks alongside their usual treatments. The goal is to see if this well-tolerated suppleme…

This study tests whether a 5-day intensive version of prolonged exposure therapy can treat PTSD as effectively as the standard 15-week approach. 140 adults with PTSD will be randomly assigned to either the intensive format or weekly sessions. Researchers will also look at cost-ef…

This study tests a new type of talk therapy for veterans and service members who have both PTSD and a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury. The therapy focuses on relaxation, stress management, and problem solving instead of asking patients to relive their trauma. The goal is …

This study tests whether a smartphone app called OTX-601 can help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Forty people with PTSD will use either the active app or a placebo version for several weeks. Researchers will track changes in PTSD symptoms usin…

This study tests a mobile app called Blueprint that teaches coping skills to people who survived a serious illness in the ICU. Many survivors face anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but mental health care is hard to access. The app aims to help them manage these symptoms on their own…

This study tests whether a single dose of MDMA (the drug in ecstasy) can make a two-week intensive exposure therapy more effective for adults with PTSD. About 200 participants will receive either MDMA or a placebo during therapy sessions. The main goal is to see if the combinatio…

This study tests a handheld device called gammaCore that gently stimulates the vagus nerve through the skin on the neck. Researchers want to see if using it daily at home can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in adults. About 40 people with PTSD will use the device for 12 weeks while t…

This study tests whether trauma-focused therapy delivered via telehealth can reduce PTSD symptoms in 80 youth aged 7-18 in Puerto Rico who have experienced trauma. Participants receive therapy from community providers through video calls. The goal is to see if this approach is ef…

This study tests whether adding a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS to a brief writing therapy can better reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. About 98 veterans with PTSD will receive either real or fake rTMS along with the therapy. The goal is to see if the combi…

This study tests whether adding augmented reality (AR) to standard exposure therapy helps U.S. military personnel with PTSD feel better. 40 veterans or active-duty members will be split into two groups: one gets AR-enhanced therapy, the other gets therapy alone. Researchers will …

This study tests whether cannabidiol (CBD), a compound from cannabis, can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve thinking problems. 120 adults with PTSD, half also having a mild traumatic brain injury, will take either a daily CBD pill (400 mg or 800 mg) or a placebo for 8 weeks. Resea…

This study tests whether a drug called pimavanserin can improve sleep in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who also have insomnia. About 60 veterans will receive either the drug or a placebo for 8 weeks. The goal is to see if it reduces insomnia severity and imp…

This study is testing whether a specific type of acupuncture can help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military members and their families. Researchers will enroll 75 adults with PTSD and measure changes in their symptoms using standard interviews and q…

This study tests whether MDMA, given alongside a specific type of talk therapy, can help reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. Twenty veterans with PTSD will receive different doses of MDMA during therapy sessions. The goal is to see if this combination safely eases their symptoms.

This study tests a treatment called SMART, which uses movement and body awareness to help adults with PTSD. 80 participants will attend 8 sessions and be assessed before, after, and 3 months later. The goal is to see if this approach reduces PTSD symptoms and improves body awaren…

This study is for adults with PTSD who are patients at Boston Medical Center. It tests a stepped care approach starting with a digital program and adding brief therapy if needed. The goal is to make treatment easier to access and more effective for reducing PTSD symptoms.

This study tests a new training program for veterans who have both mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and PTSD. The training combines exercises to recognize emotions in faces and voices with attention training, since paying attention is key to understanding emotions in daily life…

This study tests whether a week of accelerated brain stimulation (25 sessions over 5 days) can quickly reduce PTSD symptoms. It involves 132 adults with PTSD, including those with traumatic brain injury. The goal is to see if this fast-paced treatment works better than a placebo …

This study tests a noninvasive, personalized brain stimulation treatment called TMS for people aged 18-65 with chronic symptoms after a concussion, such as headache, dizziness, brain fog, or anxiety. Participants will have a 66% chance of receiving active TMS and a 33% chance of …

This study tests whether a drug called psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with therapy can help women with PTSD from sexual assault. About 70 women will receive the treatment in a controlled setting. The goal is to see if it reduces PTSD symptoms and i…

This study tests whether a new drug called TSND-201 can safely reduce PTSD symptoms in adults. About 300 people with PTSD will receive either one of two doses of TSND-201 or a placebo once a week for 4 weeks, then be followed for 8 more weeks. The goal is to see if the drug helps…

This study tests whether daridorexant, a drug used for insomnia, can reduce PTSD symptoms in 200 adults, including active-duty service members, veterans, and civilians. Participants receive either the drug or a placebo for 12 weeks, and researchers track changes in PTSD severity …

This study offers two proven trauma therapies—Trauma-Focused CBT and Trauma Systems Therapy—to children aged 5-17 with PTSD and their families. Researchers want to see how well these treatments work when children also face stress from racial trauma and adapting to a new culture. …

This study tests whether an 8-week virtual reality adventure exergaming program can improve physical activity, mood, and thinking in women veterans aged 18-45. Participants will play VR games that involve movement, and researchers will track changes in depression, anxiety, and PT…

This study tests whether involving a romantic partner in PTSD therapy helps veterans function better in daily life. About 420 post-9/11 veterans with PTSD and their partners will take part. The treatment, called Partnered PE, adds partner support to standard exposure therapy to i…

This study tests a new therapy called the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) Protocol for people with PTSD in Ukraine. The goal is to reduce distressing symptoms like flashbacks and anxiety without requiring patients to relive their trauma in detail. The study will invol…

This study at Yale University is testing whether blocking a specific brain receptor (AMPA) stops ketamine from reducing suicidal thoughts. Thirty adults with depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD who have current suicidal thoughts will receive either perampanel (an AMPA blocker) …

This study uses non-invasive eye scans (OCT and OCTA) to look for changes in the retina that might be linked to brain diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. Researchers aim to find early markers that could help diagnose or track these conditions. The stud…

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 te…

This study looks at how sleep and emotion processing are linked in teenagers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers will use a special sleep device to try to improve sleep quality and see if it helps with next-day mood. 180 teens aged 15-18 will take part, comple…

This study looks at whether asking new mothers a few questions within 48 hours of an unplanned C-section can predict who will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childbirth. Researchers will follow 420 women for three months, comparing early screening scores …

This study looks at how ketamine works in the brain to relieve depression. Researchers are giving people with hard-to-treat depression either a placebo or a drug called perampanel before a dose of ketamine. They will use brain scans to see if blocking certain brain receptors chan…

This study looks at how a type of talk therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) affects brain circuits linked to pleasure and reward in people with PTSD. Researchers will use brain scans to track changes in 120 adults with chronic PTSD. The goal is to understand why some…

This study looks at why people with PTSD have a higher risk of heart problems. Researchers will measure nerve activity and test if two daily therapies—a breathing technique or a mild nerve stimulation device—can calm the overactive nervous system. About 120 veterans with and with…

This study uses a special PET scan tracer called [11-C]OMAR to measure cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Researchers will compare healthy volunteers to people with schizophrenia, cannabis dependence, PTSD, opioid use disorder, and other conditions. The goal is to understand how…

This study is testing whether a carbon dioxide (CO2) breathing challenge can identify people with anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or panic disorder who are unlikely to improve with exposure-based therapy. Researchers will give 600 adults a brief CO2 inhalation and measure their response, the…

This study aims to understand how adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience psychotherapy. Researchers will interview 65 teens aged 12-18, along with their parents and therapists, to explore what helps them feel better. The goal is to learn more about the …

This study looks at why women with PTSD have a higher chance of heart disease later in life. Researchers will test if beetroot juice, a natural source of nitric oxide, can improve blood vessel function in 30 premenopausal women who have experienced trauma. The goal is to understa…

This pilot study is testing whether two established trauma therapies—Prolonged Exposure and EMDR—can be safely used in young adults with psychotic disorders who also have PTSD symptoms. Twenty participants from the OPUS early-intervention program will receive one of the therapies…

This study looks at how the brain processes time and attention after losing a loved one to suicide, homicide, or accident. Researchers will measure brain waves in 61 adults who experienced such a loss recently. The goal is to find early signs that may lead to PTSD or depression, …

This study looks at how people with PTSD learn to avoid certain situations. Researchers will use brain scans and skin sensors to measure fear and stress responses during learning tasks. The goal is to understand the brain processes behind avoidance, not to test a treatment. About…

This study tests whether a phone-based check-in system can improve mental health outcomes for women who have experienced violence. Researchers will call some participants a few weeks after their forensic exam and offer support, while others receive standard care. The goal is to s…

This study looks at whether a short doctor rating (the CGI scale) given within 48 hours of a traumatic event can predict who will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later. About 241 French-speaking adults who recently experienced trauma will be assessed. The goal is to…

This study looks at how alcohol changes decision-making in people with PTSD, especially when they have to choose between a reward and a possible threat. Researchers will give alcohol or a placebo to 200 adults with PTSD and use brain scans to see how their brains react. The goal …

This study explores whether a non-invasive brain technique can weaken fear memories shortly after a traumatic event, potentially lowering the risk of developing PTSD. Researchers will use brain scans and skin responses to measure changes in 66 adults with PTSD. The goal is to und…

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called iTBS, combined with computer-based attention training, can improve focus and daily functioning in people with persistent attention problems after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), with or without …

This study aims to see if a new technology combining brain stimulation (TMS) with brain imaging (fNIRS) can better personalize treatment dosing for people with PTSD, with or without mild traumatic brain injury. Researchers will measure brain activity directly to replace the curre…

This study looks at how a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) affects a person's quality of life and risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers will ask 40 adults who spent more than 48 hours in the ICU to fill out questionnaires about their experience and curre…

This study looks at how U.S. combat veterans with PTSD react to very brief images of combat scenes. Participants will view these images during a brain scan and rate their fear. The goal is to understand brain activity and awareness, not to treat PTSD. Healthy controls are also in…

This study tests whether a computer-based working memory training program can help veterans with PTSD learn to reduce fear responses. About 120 veterans will undergo memory training or a sham version, then have their brain activity and fear reactions measured. The goal is to see …