Sound waves to soothe PTSD? new trial targets brain circuit in healthcare workers
NCT ID NCT07164105
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can calm overactive brain areas linked to PTSD in frontline healthcare workers. Sixty-six participants will receive either real or fake ultrasound to the brain's cingulate cortex. Researchers will measure changes in brain scans, symptoms, sleep, and heart rate to see if the treatment helps.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for PTSD symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 66 participants and a single session of treatment. Results may not apply to all PTSD patients, and the effect may be temporary or no better than sham.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 66 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2025
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults in a frontline healthcare position (e.g. emergency medical services) 2. Ages 18-65 years 3. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) score ≥ 33 and \< 65, OR at least partial PTSD as measured by the MINI 4. English proficiency as evaluated by language ability during screening Exclusion Criteria: 1. Neurological disorders 2. DSM-5 diagnosis of psychotic disorders, eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder within the past year, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder with psychosis 3. Suicidal intent or plan (as measured by Suicide-Risk-Assessment-C-SSRS "Yes" answers to items 3, 4 or 5 of Suicidal Ideation-Past 1 month section, or any "Yes" answer to any of the items of Suicidal Behavior-Past 3 months section), or any suicide attempt in the last 3 months. 4. History of severe traumatic brain injury (as indicated by score ≥ 3 on the Tulsa Head Injury Screen) or of skull fractures 5. Contraindications to MRI as determined by the MR Environment Screening 6. Pregnancy, determined by urine pregnancy test administered prior to every MRI scanning procedure 7. Evidence of inability to comply with study procedures based on experimenter judgement. 8. Change in the dose or prescription of a medication within the 6 weeks before enrolling in the study that could affect brain functioning, e.g., anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or mood stabilizers. 9. Non-correctable vision or hearing problems 10. Unstable medical diagnoses 11. Any structural abnormalities in the LIFU target region on screening brain MRI.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Laureate Institute for Brain Research
RECRUITINGTulsa, Oklahoma, 74136, United States
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