Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Veterans

This study is investigating how Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy works for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Veterans. Researchers want to understand the changes that happen in the brain and body during and after PE therapy. You may be eligible if you are a Veteran between 18 and 90 years old with a PTSD diagnosis and are interested in PE therapy. The study will measure changes in your PTSD symptoms using a standard assessment called CAPS-5 (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5) at several points during and after treatment to see how effective the therapy is. The study aims to enroll 50 participants, but the current status of recruitment is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 50 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would participate in 15 separate visits over 17 weeks, including ten 60-minute PE therapy sessions. During these sessions, devices will record your skin conductance, heart rate, facial muscle activity, and brain activity. You will also complete self-report measures and diagnostic interviews.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your PTSD symptoms will be measured at 1-month after your last treatment session.

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

NCT05663151

Mechanisms Underlying the Efficacy of Prolonged Exposure

Recruiting
NAAges 18–90InterventionalTreatment
VA Boston Healthcare System
~50 participants
Updated 2025-04-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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 from baseline in Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
Measured over Given during screening session, pre-treatment, mid-treatment (post session 5 in week 5 of treatment), post-treatment (post session 10 in week 10 of treatment), and at 1-month follow up.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1
  • Suzanne Pineles · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Change from baseline in Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)Given during screening session, pre-treatment, mid-treatment (post session 5 in week 5 of treatment), post-treatment (post session 10 in week 10 of treatment), and at 1-month follow up.

    The primary clinical outcome, CAPS-5, is the gold standard clinical interview for assessing PTSD severity. In CAPS-5, each of the 20 symptoms of PTSD is rated on a 5-point severity scale ranging from 0 (absent) to 4 (extreme). Total scores range from 0 to 80.