
Zonisamide in Addition to E-CPT-C for Veterans With PTSD and Comorbid Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol DependencePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)This is a randomized, controlled trial with 50 veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid alcohol dependence. Veterans will be randomized to receive either zonisamide (400 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks in a double blind fashion. Randomization will be done using 3:1 ratio and will be performed by our research pharmacy using a random assignment in blocks of 4- 3 will be assigned to active medication and 1 to placebo. Medication will be titrated over a 6 week titration phase followed by a 6 week treatment phase. All veterans will receive E-CPT-C therapy for the 12 weeks of treatment; E-CPT-C will be provided by trained and qualified clinicians with extensive experience providing E-CPT-C. Veterans will be recruited primarily through advertisement, but also through the clinical facilities at the VA and from other collaborators.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Stress DisordersPost-TraumaticThe purpose of this study is to evaluate acupuncture as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to correlate the diagnosis of PTSD with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic patterns.

Nabilone in Cannabis Users With PTSD
CannabisPost Traumatic Stress DisorderDespite the prevalence of cannabis use among the PTSD population and self-reports that it is used to help cope with PTSD symptoms, the direct effects of cannabis on PTSD symptomology are unknown. The purpose of this placebo-controlled, within-subject study is to assess the effects of smoked cannabis and orally administered nabilone, a synthetic analog of THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis on multiple dimensions of PTSD symptomatology in cannabis smokers with PTSD.

Benefits of Relaxation by Music Therapy on PTSD Symptoms
Stress DisorderPost TraumaticPTSD is a debilitating mental disorder that may develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event. With appropriate care, treatment efficiency is variable and around 20% of the patients do not respond to psychological treatment. Complementary treatments are needed. as PTSD implied autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfonction, complementary treatment focusing on ANS regulation, as welle as musicotherapy, may have an interest.

Transcranial Infrared Laser Stimulation (TILS) of Prefrontal Cognition in Post-traumatic Stress...
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)This study evaluates the effects of transcranial infrared laser stimulation (TILS) on prefrontal metabolism and hemodynamics in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The subjects will receive six TILS interventions and one sham intervention in a course of seven weeks.

Meditation-Based Breathing Training in Improving Target Motion Management and Reducing Distress...
AnxietyDepression5 moreThis randomized pilot clinical trial studies the effects of meditation-based breathing training on patients' control of their breathing patterns and breathing-related movement, as well as on their psychological distress and treatment experience during radiation therapy. Meditation-based breathing training may decrease breathing-related movement and the amount of stress by improving breathing patterns in patients with abdominal or lung cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

SKY Versus WLC in PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderPatients with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be randomized to a 12-week intervention of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Trauma Relief Program (SKY) or a wait list control (WLC) to assess the effects of this intervention on symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, quality of life, autonomic symptoms, and blood inflammatory markers.

Hydrocortisone for Prevention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an acquired psychiatric condition that occurs after exposure to a dangerous or life-threatening event. It is characterized by persistent fear- and stress-related symptoms, such as nightmares, flashbacks, depression, anxiety and guilt. These symptoms can interfere significantly with patients' lives and in some cases can be debilitating. One of the most frequent causes of PTSD is being a victim of a violent, interpersonal assault. PTSD is felt to be primarily a disorder of memory formation - stressful memories are encoded too strongly in a patient's long-term memory, remaining too accessible and "present" to the patient long after the actual threat has passed. In recent years evidence has emerged that it may be possible to prevent PTSD by moderating the process of memory consolidation that occurs in the hours and days after a traumatic event. Early research has suggested that enhancing the body's natural cortisol response to a stressful event may be a safe and effective way of moderating the process of memory consolidation and promoting adaptive, non-pathological memory encoding. In particular, the administration of hydrocortisone, a safe and widely used drug that mimics the body's own cortisol hormone, appears to reduce the risk of developing PTSD in patients who have sustained a traumatic event. However, this research is still in relatively early stages, and requires larger trials to confirm its efficacy. In addition, the research thus far has not adequately targeted assault victims, whom Investigator feel are some of the patients most likely to benefit from such an approach. Investigators propose a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial of administering single-dose oral hydrocortisone or placebo to 100 assault victims seen in the Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia Emergency Department to determine if this approach has efficacy in preventing PTSD. This study is designed as a pilot study, with the hopes that the data gathered in it can be used to design a larger and more robust trial in the future.

tDCS-Augmented Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderPTSD2 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the effects of a brain stimulation technique known as transcranial direct current stimulation, or tDCS, on the benefits of Prolonged Exposure therapy, or PE, which is an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. tDCS has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for influencing brain activity by passing a weak electrical current through the scalp. In this study, tDCS is provided in addition to PE treatment, through the National Crime Victim's Research and Treatment Center at MUSC, or the PTSD Clinical Team Clinic within the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.

Prevention of Mental Health Problems in People Exposed to a Recent Highly Stressful Event.
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderAcute Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder1 moreThis project evaluates the effectiveness of three intervention models for the prevention of mental health problems in people who have suffered a recent highly stressful event, through an experimental design, with a control group and random assignment of participants in each group . The preventive interventions that will be evaluated will be based on three different psychotherapeutic models: brief systemic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. It is expected to observe a significant reduction in post-traumatic and depressive symptoms, and an increase in subjective well-being and post-traumatic growth, compared to the control group. In addition, the moderating effect of psychological processes such as cognitive rumination, emotional self-regulation and coping strategies used in the relationship between the type of intervention and its results will be evaluated. If the hypotheses are confirmed, this study will allow the prevention of emotional distress associated with a highly stressful event, as well as the promotion of positive results, through empirically supported, low-cost strategies and with results that are capable of demonstrating their effectiveness.