PTSD

This study tested a weight management program designed specifically for veterans with PTSD who are overweight or obese. The program added extra support to standard PTSD care to help overcome barriers like stress and low motivation. 174 veterans took part, and researchers measured…

This study tested a program that combines group savings and loans with education on parenting, farming, and mental health support for people with HIV in Kenya. The goal was to help them stick to their HIV medication, lower stress, and achieve undetectable virus levels. Over 800 p…

This study tested whether a smartphone app could help people with PTSD quit smoking and avoid relapsing. Participants received counseling, stop-smoking medications, and a mobile app that rewarded them for not smoking. The study enrolled 15 adults who smoked at least 10 cigarettes…

This study tested whether giving a single dose of hydrocortisone (a stress hormone) within six hours of a traumatic event could help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 201 adults who came to the emergency room after trauma and showed high distress were randomly given …

This study tested whether adding cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from cannabis, to prolonged exposure therapy helps reduce PTSD symptoms in military veterans. 136 veterans took part in a randomized trial comparing CBD plus therapy to a placebo plus therapy. The goa…

This study tested a group writing therapy for Chinese teenagers with PTSD or complex PTSD. 53 teens were split into two groups: one received the writing therapy, the other waited. The therapy involved 5 to 8 group sessions where participants wrote about their trauma. Results show…

This study looked at whether a wearable device called Apollo, which uses gentle vibrations, is acceptable and easy for veterans with PTSD to use. 63 veterans who served in recent conflicts and had PTSD wore the device daily. The goal was to see if they liked it and found it helpf…

This study tested whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) — a non-invasive treatment that uses a powerful magnet to stimulate specific brain areas — can improve daily functioning in veterans with PTSD. Researchers compared real TMS to a sham (fake) treatment in 59 veteran…

This study tested a new way to help people with PTSD who have frequent nightmares. Participants practiced changing their nightmare story during the day (imagery rehearsal therapy) and then heard a sound during REM sleep to reinforce the new, positive dream. Half of the 46 adults …

This study tested a system called NightWare, which uses an iPhone and Apple Watch to detect when a person is having a nightmare and gently vibrates to wake them without fully disturbing their sleep. The goal was to see if it could safely improve sleep quality in 270 veterans and …

This study tested a personalized treatment plan for mothers and their young children (ages 4-6) who experienced domestic violence and were living in a shelter. The plan combined trauma therapy (EMDR) for both parent and child with attachment-based parenting support, in an order t…

This study tested whether repeated doses of ketamine, compared to a placebo, could help veterans with PTSD feel better faster while they also received a type of talk therapy called Prolonged Exposure. The trial involved 75 veterans aged 18 to 75 who had a PTSD diagnosis. The goal…

This study tested a therapist-assisted self-management program for 80 veterans who had already completed trauma-focused therapy for PTSD and seen improvement. The goal was to help them maintain or further reduce symptoms, boost confidence in managing their condition, and cut down…

This study tested whether breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) can help adults with PTSD. Thirty people who had PTSD from combat or terror events and hadn't improved with standard treatments took part. The goal was to see if this therapy coul…

This study tested whether a type of talk therapy called EMDR works as well as antidepressant medication (SSRIs) for treating PTSD. Sixty adults with PTSD were randomly assigned to receive either EMDR therapy or an SSRI for six weeks. The main goal was to see how many people in ea…

This study looked at whether a single 20-minute aerobic exercise session could help women with PTSD symptoms better regulate their emotions and improve cognitive control. Sixty-seven adult women with significant PTSD symptoms were randomly assigned to either exercise or quiet sit…

This study looked at whether taking estrogen pills alongside prolonged exposure therapy can improve PTSD symptoms in women. 83 women aged 18-45 with PTSD took part. They were randomly assigned to get either estrogen or a placebo with their therapy sessions. The goal was to see if…

This small study tested whether a drug called MDMA (often known as ecstasy) could help veterans with PTSD and their partners improve symptoms and relationship satisfaction. Sixteen veterans and their intimate partners took part in therapy sessions with MDMA. The goal was to see i…

This study looked at whether adding a short writing therapy (Written Exposure Therapy) to a 28-day residential substance use program helps veterans who have both PTSD and substance use disorders. Fifty-six veterans took part. The goal was to see if the writing therapy was practic…

This study looked at whether a therapy called Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), adapted for people with mild learning disabilities, is acceptable and helpful for treating trauma symptoms. 13 adults completed the therapy, and their trauma symptoms were measured weekly. The goal wa…

This study tested whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, added to standard HIV care, reduces psychological trauma and improves quality of life in people diagnosed with HIV within the last month. Forty adults were split into two groups: one received …

This study tested a short, low-intensity psychological program called Problem Management Plus (PM+) for refugees and asylum seekers. The goal was to see if it is feasible and acceptable to help reduce psychological distress and PTSD symptoms. 64 participants took part, and the pr…

This study tested a new, non-invasive treatment for people with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. Researchers used low-intensity focused ultrasound to gently stimulate a brain region called the amygdala over 15 sessions. The goal was to see if this approach is safe …

This small pilot study tested whether adding a type of brain stimulation (called iTBS) to a two-week intensive PTSD program could help veterans who weren't improving quickly enough. Six veterans participated, and researchers measured changes in PTSD and depression symptoms using …

This study tested a 5-week behavioral program for women who experienced sexual assault and drink alcohol. The program aimed to reduce both stress symptoms and alcohol use. Participants completed surveys and daily smartphone check-ins. The goal was to see if early help could impro…

This study tested whether a 6-week group therapy program, led by people who have also been incarcerated, can help reduce PTSD symptoms in those returning from prison or jail. 59 adults who had completed a sentence and had PTSD took part. The approach focused on feasibility and sy…

This study tested whether adding oxytocin (a natural hormone) to standard talk therapy helps Veterans with PTSD feel better faster and stay in treatment longer. About 180 Veterans took part, receiving either oxytocin or a placebo alongside therapy sessions. The goal was to see if…

This small pilot study tested whether a single, 2-hour breathwork session could help veterans with PTSD. 36 veterans took part, and they also had a 30-minute talk session with a psychologist. The main goal was to see if the study was feasible, not to prove the treatment works. Re…

This study tested whether virtual reality therapy could prevent anxiety, depression, and PTSD in adults who had a lung transplant. 62 patients used a VR headset with scenes that gradually increased stress, like ICU alarms, to help them get used to the environment. The goal was to…

This study tested a group writing therapy for Chinese teenagers with PTSD. 53 teens took part, with half receiving the therapy and half on a waiting list. The therapy involved 5-8 group sessions where they wrote about their trauma. Results showed it helped reduce PTSD and depress…

This study tested a group therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for incarcerated adults with PTSD. 117 men and women participated, with some receiving therapy immediately and others waiting. The main goal was to see if CPT reduces PTSD symptoms, and the study also loo…

This study looked at whether the timing of mild brain stimulation (tDCS) can help people with PTSD better learn that a place or cue is safe. 62 adults with PTSD received stimulation either during or after a fear-extinction task. The goal was to see if timing changes how the brain…

This study looked at whether brain activity patterns during sleep can help diagnose PTSD and measure how severe it is. Researchers studied 26 veterans using EEG to measure brain wave synchrony. The goal was to find an objective way to diagnose PTSD, instead of relying only on pat…

This study looked at 67 mothers who had given birth to find the best cutoff scores for the City Birth Trauma Scale, a questionnaire that helps identify childbirth-related PTSD. Participants filled out the scale and then had a diagnostic phone interview. Researchers compared the r…

This study tested whether remote tai chi and wellness programs are practical for veterans with PTSD and chronic pain. 42 veterans participated in a 12-week program delivered via video. The goal was to see if veterans were satisfied and would stick with the program, to inform a fu…

This study tested a new Dutch questionnaire designed to measure how people think about traumatic events. Researchers looked at whether the questionnaire works well in both students and people being treated for trauma-related problems. The goal was to improve understanding of PTSD…

This study tested whether training VA staff with computer simulations (called participatory system dynamics) improves how quickly and effectively veterans with PTSD, depression, or opioid use disorder receive proven treatments. About 720 staff from 24 VA health systems participat…

This study looked at whether PTSD can damage blood vessels, which may lead to heart disease. Researchers measured how well blood vessels expand in 168 adults who had experienced trauma. The goal was to understand which PTSD symptoms are most harmful to heart health, without offer…

This study looked at whether MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can change how stress-related genes work in people with PTSD. Researchers collected saliva samples from 45 participants before and after treatment to measure changes in gene activity. The goal was to see if these genetic ch…

This study aims to understand why interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) helps people with PTSD. Unlike most PTSD treatments, IPT does not involve re-living traumatic memories. Instead, it focuses on improving relationships and emotional awareness. Researchers will measure changes in …