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Evaluating PE Coach for Veterans with PTSD

This study is looking at how well a mobile app called PE Coach helps Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when used alongside standard therapy. Researchers want to see if using the PE Coach app improves how Veterans function compared to receiving the same therapy without the app. You might be able to join if you are a Veteran between 18 and 65 years old, have a current PTSD diagnosis, are fluent in English, and are willing to participate in therapy, including using a mobile device. The study will measure changes in your PTSD-related functioning at different points over several months to see if the app makes a difference. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 124 participants to compare two behavioral interventions: PE Coach with therapy, and therapy alone.
What's involved
You would participate in individual, in-person or telemental health Prolonged Exposure (PE) psychotherapy, including using a mobile device. Your PTSD-related functioning will be measured at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 1-month and 4-month follow-ups.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 4 months after treatment to assess changes in PTSD-related functioning.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04959695

Evaluation of the PE Coach Mobile Application Among Veterans With PTSD

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
VA Office of Research and Development
~124 participants
Updated 2026-01-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:PE CoachProlonged exposure without PE Coach

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Posttraumatic Stress Related Functioning Inventory (PRFI) from baseline to mid-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post-treatment f/up, 4-month post-treatment f/up
Measured over Pre-treatment (Baseline), approx week 8 (mid-treatment), approx. week 16 (post-treatment), approx week 20 (1-month f/up), approx week 32 (4-month f/up)

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Washington1

Study leadership

  • Greg M. Reger, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA

Who to contact

Greg M Reger, PhD
[email protected]
(253) 583-1677
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Veterans aged 18-65
enrolled in VA healthcare and eligible for VA PTSD psychotherapy
current diagnosis of PTSD based on CAPS-5, Minimum total severity score of 26 or higher
English language fluency
willingness to participate in individual, in-person or telemental health PE psychotherapy including use of a mobile device

Exclusion

neurological conditions (based on review of the volunteer's medical record) that are severe enough to interfere with PE treatment and assessments (i.e., diagnosed Major Neurocognitive Disorder, severe neurological disorders (e.g., ALS), and those with severe TBI history). Neurological disorders that may result in mildly impaired cognitive function (such as multiple sclerosis or those with history of mild or moderate severity TBI) will be eligible, pending a score of 6 or higher on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
current intent to suicide
behavioral patient record flag in the VA medical record
a history of a serious mental health condition listed in their medical record problem list that is known to include psychotic symptoms, such as schizophrenia or a depressive disorder with psychotic features. We will also ask for self -reported indicators of psychosis, using an existing interview template
in an ongoing threatening situation (e.g. domestic violence)
positive screen for severe alcohol use disorder, as indicated by an AUDIT score equal to or higher than 13 or 15 for women and men, respectively
prior history of 3 or more sessions of PE therapy for PTSD
other current psychotherapy for PTSD that is recommended (with at least weak strength) in the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the treatment of PTSD
a physical condition that interferes with the proper use of a mobile device.
not stable on psychotropic medications for at least 6 weeks prior to enrollment

What this trial measures

  • Change in Posttraumatic Stress Related Functioning Inventory (PRFI) from baseline to mid-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post-treatment f/up, 4-month post-treatment f/upPre-treatment (Baseline), approx week 8 (mid-treatment), approx. week 16 (post-treatment), approx week 20 (1-month f/up), approx week 32 (4-month f/up)

    The PRFI is a 33-item, self -report measure of,functioning related to three domains: work and school, relationships, and lifestyle. Each domain is assessed with two subscales, including a Symptom Cluster Impact scale, which assess the impact of each DSM-5 PTSD symptom cluster on functioning in that domain, and a Total Symptom Impact subscale, which assesses the impact of all PTSD symptoms.