Talking therapy may lower heart risk in PTSD patients
NCT ID NCT06429293
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tests whether cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of talk therapy) for PTSD can also reduce the risk of heart disease. Researchers will measure inflammation, heart rate variability, and brain activity in 30 adults with PTSD and heart risk factors. Half will receive therapy immediately, while the other half waits. The goal is to see if treating PTSD improves heart health.
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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 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2026
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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * age 18-65 years (upper limit chosen to optimize changes in brain activation that diminish with age); * criterion A trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms (clinically significant symptoms in at least two symptom clusters); * subclinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral arterial plaque or calcifications on imaging), clinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., myocardial infarction or revascularization), or increased risk for atherosclerotic CVD (i.e., \>2 of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and active smoking) ability to understand and sign informed consent * fluent English speaker. Exclusion Criteria: * history of stroke, brain surgery, seizure * use of certain CVD medications (e.g., beta-blockers, high-intensity statins \[e.g., rosuvastatin 20/40 mg and atorvastatin 40/80 mg\], PCSK-9 inhibitors); * psychiatric or cardiovascular medication change within 4 weeks (i.e., stable regimen is allowed); * currently in PTSD therapy; * neurological or systemic inflammatory disease/current anti-inflammatory therapy; * moderate/severe alcohol/substance use disorder; * current mania/psychosis; * weight \>300 lbs., claustrophobia, pregnancy, metal implants that are incompatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or uncontrolled hyperglycemia (for imaging); * significant radiation exposure (\>2 nuclear tests, computed tomography images, or fluoroscopic procedures) for research purposes during the preceding 12-months.
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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
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Contacts and locations
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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