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Art Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Military Populations

This study is looking into how Art Therapy can help military members and veterans (within 10 years of separation) who have significant posttraumatic stress symptoms. Art Therapy is already used, but researchers want to understand how it helps with emotional expression and regulation, and how it affects the brain. You might be able to join if you are 18-64 years old, eligible for DEERS, and have a PCL-5 score of 31 or higher. The study will measure changes in your brain using functional neuroimaging (special MRI scans) at the beginning and after about 14 weeks to see the effects of the therapy. The study's status is currently unclear.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 40 participants. It is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment (Art Therapy).
What's involved
You would attend eleven sessions over six to eight months. This includes interviews, self-assessment questionnaires, MRI scans, and eight one-hour art therapy sessions.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcome measures are analyzed through study completion, an average of 14 weeks. There is also a virtual interview three months after the tenth visit.

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

NCT05414708

Art Therapy and Emotional Well Being in Military Populations With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Recruiting
NAAges 18–64InterventionalTreatment
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
~40 participants
Updated 2026-01-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Art Therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
The Primary Outcome Measure is analysis of functional neuroimaging metrics
Measured over Baseline
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

PTSD
Military Activity
Post-Traumatic Headache
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Delayed Onset
Sleep Disturbance
Nightmare
Irritable Mood
Anger
Combat and Operational Stress Reaction
Combat Stress Disorders
Military Family
Military Operations
Emotional Regulation
Emotion Processing

Explore related trials

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
Maryland1
Virginia1

Study leadership

  • Chandler Rhodes, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · WRNMMC

Who to contact

Chandler Rhodes, Ph.D.
[email protected]
301-400-3638
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

DEERS Eligible
Active Duty or Veteran separated within the past 10 years
Significant posttraumatic stress symptoms (score of \>/=31 on the PCL-5)

Exclusion

History of moderate, severe, or penetrating brain injury
History of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or active suicidal or homicidal ideation
History of multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, or Alzheimer's disease
History of stroke or myocardial infarction
History of brain tumor
History of seizures
Contradictions for MRI (for example, participants will be excluded for pregnancy, metal implants or suspected shrapnel, aneurysm/intracranial clips, cardiac pacemakers or implanted programmable devices or pumps)
Unable to provide informed consent
History of previous exposure to art therapy
Active substance use disorder

What this trial measures

  • The Primary Outcome Measure is analysis of functional neuroimaging metricsBaseline

    The primary outcome measure is the analysis of resting state and task based functional MRI data which include but functional connectivity measures between brain regions at rest and during the task as well as functional activation patterns during the task. MRI and a series of task based fMRI sequences.

  • The Primary Outcome Measure is analysis of functional neuroimaging metricsThrough study completion, an average of 14 weeks

    The primary outcome measure is the analysis of resting state and task based functional MRI data which include but functional connectivity measures between brain regions at rest and during the task as well as functional activation patterns during the task. MRI and a series of task based fMRI sequences.