Back to search results

Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

This study is exploring how Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy helps people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Researchers want to understand the changes in the brain and body that happen during PE therapy. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, have PTSD, and are interested in starting PE therapy. The study will measure your PTSD symptoms using a tool called CAPS-5 at different times: before, during, and after treatment, and one month later. The goal is to see if these measurements change over the course of PE therapy. The study aims to enroll 50 participants, but plans to have 15 complete the full study.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 50 participants, with a goal of 15 completing the study. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would participate in 15 separate visits over 17 weeks, including 10 sessions of Prolonged Exposure therapy. During these sessions, devices will record your skin conductance, heart rate, facial muscle activity, and brain activity.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your progress will be monitored at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up after treatment ends.

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

NCT05788302

Mechanisms Underlying Efficacy of Prolonged Exposure

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Massachusetts General Hospital
~50 participants
Updated 2025-11-13 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Prolonged Exposure

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.

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

Study leadership

  • Amanda W Baker, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Vladimir Ivkovic, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Massachusetts General Hospital

Who to contact

Amanda W Baker, Ph.D.
[email protected]
617-643-6703
Email the study team

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

What this trial measures

  • 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.