Veterans' PTSD may be soothed by a simple neck injection
NCT ID NCT05169190
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a stellate ganglion block—a numbing injection in the neck—can quickly reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. About 410 veterans who still have PTSD after trying standard treatments will receive either the real injection or a sham (fake) one. Researchers will measure symptom changes and side effects to see if this fast-acting approach is safe and effective.
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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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410 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
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 80 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: * Veterans of any military branch * DSM-5 criteria for chronic PTSD on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) * at least moderate PTSD with a total CAPS-5 score of \> 26 * having had at least one trial of an evidence-based treatment (EBT) for PTSD Verification of an EBT trial will be by: * subject report of engaging in the EBT (whether it be psycho- or pharmaco-therapy) * CPRS or other medical record system (if outside VA) verification to determine that the dose and time (applies to both meds and therapy) was an adequate trial OR that they clearly did not finish the EBT due to clear aversion * They will be eligible if they did not finish the EBT due to aversion, but they must have had a trial and be fully informed during informed consent for this study of the available clinical treatment options * Eligible persons may have other symptoms that are commonly comorbid with PTSD (e.g., anxiety, moderate depression) * Severe primary depression will be an exclusion (see "Exclusion criteria" below) * This strategy will provide a feasible and generalizable sample * Women and minorities will be recruited Exclusion Criteria: * clear current and past six-months psychosis clearly not related to PSTD hypervigilance, * substance dependence (clear evidence of tolerance and/or withdrawal) within the past 6 months * thyroid disease and other contraindications to SGB (anatomic abnormalities of the anterior cervical spine; cardiac/pulmonary compromise; acute illness/infection; coagulopathy/bleeding disorder; allergic reactions/contraindications to local anesthetic or contrast dye, prior anterior neck surgery, anterior neck skin abnormalities (rash or eruptions)) * decisional incapacity (e.g., dementia, clear evidence of testing that signifies incapacity to consent), OR Montreal Cognitive Assessment score \<18 * centrally acting medications that have a potential effect on biological expression * pain levels requiring opiate medications * known exposure to chemicals or physical trauma that cause permanent neuropsychiatric sequelae * severe depression (Quick Inventory of Depression-SR16 (QIDS-SR16 score \>18) that is deemed more clinically significant than PTSD (i.e., depression, cluster D PTSD, and minimal symptoms from cluster B, C, and E) * high risk of acute suicidality * a diagnosed and untreated moderate or severe sleep breathing disorder (SBD), OR a high risk of a SBD as indicated by snoring \>50% of nights plus one of * any witnessed apnea * feeling non-refreshed in the morning \>50% of mornings * daytime sleepiness indicated by falling asleep with routine tasks such as watching TV or reading * clear treatment non-adherence indicated by stopping treatment or \>3 missed appointments in the course of at least three PTSD EBTs * past clear and chronic PTSD prior to military service * current active psychotherapy for PTSD (they may suspend therapy if chosen by subject and therapist) * pregnancy * having had any prior SGB * unstable dose(s) of medication for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or for sleep, or any other psychoactive medication for 8-weeks prior to intervention * unwillingness to continue active medications at the same doses for the duration of the trial * a person who is on a stable medication dose for \> 8 weeks who meets inclusion criteria and will continue these medications for the trial duration will not be excluded
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
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Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417-2309, United States
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VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA
Long Beach, California, 90822, United States
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VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84148-0001, United States
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White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT
White River Junction, Vermont, 05001-3833, United States
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William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
Madison, Wisconsin, 53705-2254, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can training hospital staff in Trauma-Informed care make childbirth safer?
- Scientists probe brain's reward system in mental illness
- Can a mindfulness class help veterans with concussion and PTSD?
- Can MDMA plus therapy help veterans fight both PTSD and alcohol addiction?
- Can talk therapies quiet the trauma of violence?