Active clinical trials for "Stress Disorders, Traumatic"

The aim of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of phase-based trauma-focused therapy (PBT) and intensive trauma-focused therapy (I-TFT) for adult patients with PTSD related to childhood abuse. We will carry out a RCT, randomizing 150 patients to receive either standard TFT, PBT or i-TFT. The effects will be assessed at two endpoints of treatment (4, 8 and 16 weeks) and after a 6 and 12 months follow-up in an intention-to-treat analysis.

The current available treatments for PTSD are not fully effective for cognitive symptoms of PTSD and have high drop-out and poor engagement, two factors found to be most indicative of overall return to functioning for patients with PTSD. The proposed study directly addresses this knowledge gap by conducting a pilot, fixed-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and cross-over trial using atomoxetine (ATX) as an add-on medication to other therapies to testing the efficacy of ATX in reducing ADHD cognitive symptoms among veterans with comorbid ADHD/PTSD. Successful completion of this pilot clinical trial may build a platform for future large scale double-blind, placebo-controlled studies using either atomoxetine or other cognitive enhancing medications.

The purpose of this study is to establish the efficacy of Magnetic Resonant Therapy in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans.

Twenty six veterans with PTSD and cognitive impairment received 16 weeks of memantine in an open label fashion. Cognition was assessed using the Spatial Span, Logical Memory I, and Letter-Number Sequencing subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale III (Third edition) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). RBANS measures attention, language, visuospatial skills, and immediate and delayed memories. The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were used to assess improvement in PTSD symptoms, as secondary outcome measures.

A significant number of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are affected by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The limited reach of effective treatments for PTSD into the veteran population is at least partially due to the perceived stigma by service members for seeking help in traditional specialty mental health clinics. A comprehensive approach to PTSD treatment in a veteran population should provide alternative sources for accessing effective psychotherapy treatments. The purpose of study is to conduct a randomized clinical trial comparing a brief (four 30-minute sessions delivered over 6 weeks) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol designed specifically for use by behavioral health consultants working in an integrated primary care setting to a minimal contact 6-week control. The primary outcome measure is PTSD symptom relief.

Soldiers deployed in peace-keeping missions as well as ex-combatants in conflict or former conflict regions were and are often exposed to multiple traumatic events and situations in which they are forced to engage in violent behavior. The treatment program Formation, Orientation and Rehabilitation by means of Narrative Exposure Therapy (FORNET) is a short-term, culturally sensitive treatment approach that aims to reduce Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms as well as the risk to engage in uncontrolled violent behavior. Addressing trauma-related mental disorders as well as emotions related to aggression by means of FORNET is expected to facilitate reintegration in civil life and reduce uncontrolled violence. The investigators want to provide evidence, that FORNET is an effective and efficient module to assist soldiers after deployment in Somalia and/or male and female ex-combatants who fought in the civil war in Burundi. In addition the investigators aim to explore how traumatic incidences and maltreatment during childhood may influence treatment outcomes.

This is a 20-subject, dose finding study to examine the use of external trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) as an adjunctive treatment for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) co- occurring with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when added onto antidepressant medications. Our primary objective is the examination of TNS in this patient population. To accomplish our specific aims, the investigators will test the following specific hypotheses: Subjects will show improvement in ratings of mood, PTSD, and other symptoms during the eight-week period. Subjects will show improvement in ratings of life functional capacity and quality of life with TNS. Subjects will report the TNS treatments to be acceptable in terms of side effects and burden of using the device.

This project will study whether a new therapy that includes the practice of forms of meditation is helpful for combat veterans returning from deployments in Iraq or Afghanistan suffering with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "Mindfulness meditation" cultivates present-focused, non-judgmental attention to ones body, emotions, and thoughts, and is proposed to lead to a greater sense of well-being and acceptance and better tolerance of painful and distressing emotions. "Compassion" and "loving-kindness" meditations help stabilize positive emotions like love and compassion, and may also be helpful for chronic pain, and possibly depression and PTSD. This study will compare a 16 week psychotherapy group for PTSD involving Mindfulness and Self-compassion meditation, with a more standard form of group psychotherapy known as "Present-centered group therapy". Both therapies will be conducted at the VA Ann Arbor PTSD clinic by VA psychotherapists. (The study is also approved by the IRB of the VA Ann Arbor). Combat veterans will be randomly assigned to either the Meditation or the standard group psychotherapy. All patients will also receive fMRI brain scans before and after the therapy, as well as assessment interviews before, at 8 weeks, and immediately post-therapy, and at 3 mo and 6 mo follow-ups. Saliva cortisol and measures of attention will also be obtained at each assessment.

This is a randomized controlled 2 year trial at Camp Pendleton, CA to determine whether a complementary medicine intervention (Healing Touch with Guided Imagery, HT+GI) reduces Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms as compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in returning combat-exposed active duty military with significant PTSD symptoms. Secondary aims will evaluate the effect of HT and GI on measures of depression, hostility, and general health status in this population.

This Phase 2 pilot study assessed the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in 10 people with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), comparing the effects of low and full dose MDMA as an adjunct to psychotherapy. The first two subjects were enrolled in the open label full dose lead-in with 125 mg of MDMA, followed 1.5 to 2.5 hours later by a supplemental half-dose of 62.5 mg of MDMA. The remaining eight subjects enrolled in Stage 1 of the study and received either an active placebo dose (low dose of 25 mg MDMA, with a supplemental dose of 12.5 mg MDMA) or a fully active dose of MDMA (125 mg, with a supplemental dose of 62.5 mg MDMA) during two experimental psychotherapy session, each lasting six to eight hours and scheduled three to five weeks apart. The extent of PTSD symptoms was assessed at baseline and two months after the second experimental session using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) [Blake et al., 1995]. Subjects who enrolled in Stage 1 and received the active placebo had the opportunity to enroll in Stage 2 of the study and complete open-label experimental sessions with the fully active dose of MDMA on the same schedule as Stage 1.