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Reducing PTSD Symptoms in First Responders and Frontline Healthcare Workers

This study is looking for first responders and frontline healthcare workers who have symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It's testing if a brief talk therapy called Prolonged Exposure for Primary Care (PE-PC) can reduce PTSD symptoms more effectively than standard Employee Assistance Program (EAP) treatment. You can join if you work for an organization with a participating EAP, have a PCL-5 score of 33 or higher (a measure of PTSD symptoms), and have been on stable psychotropic medication for at least four weeks. The study will measure changes in your PTSD symptoms over six months to see if PE-PC helps improve your well-being.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 410 participants. It compares two behavioral treatments: Prolonged Exposure for Primary Care (PE-PC) and EAP Treatment as Usual (TAU).
What's involved
You would receive 4-6 weekly 30-minute talk therapy sessions, either by telehealth or in person, depending on your preference. Your PTSD symptoms will be measured at the beginning of the study and again at six months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your PTSD symptoms will be followed for six months after the start of the study.

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

NCT05751473

Reducing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms in First Responders and Frontline Health Care Workers

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Michigan
~410 participants
Updated 2026-07-01 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Prolonged Exposure for Primary Care (PE-PC)EAP Treatment as Usual (TAU)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
10 of 14 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (PCL-5) score
Measured over baseline to 6 months

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

14 sites across 8 states
Michigan6
Ohio2
California1
Georgia1
New Jersey1
New York1
North Carolina1
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Rebecca Sripada, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Michigan

Who to contact

James Garlick
[email protected]
734-232-2663
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Are employees at an orginization served by a participating EAP
Have a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (PCL-5) score ≥33
Have had psychotropic medication stability for at least 4 weeks

Exclusion

Severe cognitive impairment that in the judgment of the investigators makes it unlikely that the participant can adhere to the study regimen (as evidenced by confusion, inability to track discussion or answer questions, or other clear and significant indicators of cognitive impairment)
High risk of suicide (defined as meeting criteria for Action Step 3 on the Participant Suicide Risk Screening form: found in protocol)
Need for detoxification
Active psychosis or unmanaged bipolar disorder, as measured by items 12 and 13 of the cross cutting assessment
Currently engagement in a trauma-focused behavioral treatment (such as Prolonged Exposure or Cognitive Processing Therapy).
Patients who do not speak English will be excluded for logistical reasons.

What this trial measures

  • Change in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (PCL-5) scorebaseline to 6 months

    The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses symptoms of PTSD. The self-report rating scale is 0-4 for each symptom. The minimum and maximum values are 0 and 80, with higher scores indicating worse outcome.