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Exercise for PTSD and Heart Disease Risk

This study is looking at how an exercise program might help people with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who also have, or are at risk for, artery disease. Researchers will use special imaging (PET/MRI) to see how exercise affects brain activity and inflammation in blood vessels. The study is open to adults aged 18-65 who have experienced trauma, have PTSD symptoms, and show signs of or are at increased risk for artery disease. Success will be measured by changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability after 12-16 weeks of exercise. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 10 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 10 participants. It will test the effects of an exercise program.
What's involved
You would participate in an exercise program. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability would be measured before and after 12-16 weeks of the program.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements will be taken at the beginning and again 12-16 weeks after the initial visit.

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NCT07260032

Determining the Benefits of Exercise on Cardiovascular Risk in PTSD

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Massachusetts General Hospital
~10 participants
Updated 2025-12-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Exercise

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Heart rate
Measured over Pre-treatment; Post-treatment (12-16 weeks after pre-treatment visit)
+4 more outcomes measured

Conditions

PTSD
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Explore related trials

AtherosclerosisPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

Who to contact

Antonia Seligowski, PhD
[email protected]
617-643-0954
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 18-65 years
Trauma exposure
PTSD symptoms
Subclinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral arterial plaque or calcifications on imaging), clinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., myocardial infarction or revascularization), or increased risk for atherosclerotic CVD (i.e., \>2 of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and active smoking)
Ability to understand and sign informed consent

Exclusion

History of stroke, brain surgery, or seizure
Use of certain CVD medications (e.g., beta-blockers, high-intensity statins \[e.g., rosuvastatin 20/40 mg and atorvastatin 40/80 mg\], PCSK-9 inhibitors)
Psychiatric or cardiovascular medication change within 4 weeks (i.e., stable regimen is allowed)
Unstable blood pressure or cardiac arrhythmia
Currently in a supervised or graduated exercise program
Neurological or systemic inflammatory disease/current systemic anti-inflammatory therapy
Moderate/severe alcohol/substance use disorder
Current mania/psychosis
Weight \>300 lbs.
Claustrophobia
Pregnancy
Metal implants
Uncontrolled hyperglycemia (HgbA1c\>7.5%)
Subjects who have had significant radiation exposure as part of research (\>2 nuclear tests, computed tomography images, or fluoroscopic procedures) during the preceding 12-months

What this trial measures

  • Heart ratePre-treatment; Post-treatment (12-16 weeks after pre-treatment visit)

    10-minute resting heart rate will be measured in beats per minute and collected from electrocardiogram (ECG)

  • Blood pressurePre-treatment; Post-treatment (12-16 weeks after pre-treatment visit)

    Systolic and diastolic blood pressure

  • Heart rate variabilityPre-treatment; Post-treatment (12-16 weeks after pre-treatment visit)

    10-minute resting heart rate variability will be measured using heart rate R-peak interval times collected from electrocardiogram (ECG)

  • Arterial inflammationPre-treatment; Post-treatment (12-16 weeks after pre-treatment visit)

    Aortic and carotid arterial inflammation will be based on uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose during positron emission tomography in these sites

  • Bone marrow inflammationPre-treatment; Post-treatment (12-16 weeks after pre-treatment visit)

    Bone marrow inflammation will be based on uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose during positron emission tomography