Trial Outcomes & Findings for A Placebo-Controlled Trial of D-Cycloserine and Exposure Therapy for Combat-PTSD (NCT NCT00371176)

NCT ID: NCT00371176

Last Updated: 2014-02-04

Results Overview

A 17-item, semi-structured interview of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 0-136, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

26 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Pre Intervention

Results posted on

2014-02-04

Participant Flow

The recruitment period was 2007 to 2011. Participants were recruited through VA clinician referrals and public advertising (e.g., flyers and radio ads).

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
Treatment entailed six 60-90 minute sessions. Session 1 focused on psychoeducation and building of rapport, sessions 2-5 of brief imaginal exposure therapy plus a 50 mg DCS pill 30 minutes prior to each session, and session 6 consisted of a review of treatment gains, discussion of relapse-prevention strategies, and termination.
Placebo Plus Exposure
Treatment entailed six 60-90 minute sessions. Session 1 focused on psychoeducation and building of rapport, sessions 2-5 of brief imaginal exposure therapy plus a placebo pill 30 minutes prior to each session, and session 6 consisted of a review of treatment gains, discussion of relapse-prevention strategies, and termination.
Overall Study
STARTED
13
13
Overall Study
Completed Treatment
10
9
Overall Study
COMPLETED
8
5
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
8

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

A Placebo-Controlled Trial of D-Cycloserine and Exposure Therapy for Combat-PTSD

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Total
n=26 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
13 Participants
n=99 Participants
13 Participants
n=107 Participants
26 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Continuous
32.77 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.85 • n=99 Participants
31.62 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.10 • n=107 Participants
32.19 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.31 • n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
13 Participants
n=99 Participants
13 Participants
n=107 Participants
26 Participants
n=206 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
13 participants
n=99 Participants
13 participants
n=107 Participants
26 participants
n=206 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention

A 17-item, semi-structured interview of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 0-136, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-IV
69.85 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 23.24
73.38 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 16.35

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Post Intervention

A 17-item, semi-structured interview of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 0-136, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-IV
72.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 28.68
53.73 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 26.22

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 month follow-up

A 17-item, semi-structured interview of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 0-136, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=9 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=11 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-IV
62.57 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 32.17
58.20 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 26.17

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 month follow-up

A 17-item, semi-structured interview of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 0-136, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=9 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=11 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-IV
62.20 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 32.17
55.50 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 27.02

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention

A 17-item, self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 17-85, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
PTSD Checklist
37.85 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.76
39.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.77

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Post intervention

A 17-item, self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 17-85, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
PTSD Checklist
34.11 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 21.09
24.18 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 14.95

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 month follow-up

A 17-item, self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 17-85, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=9 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=11 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
PTSD Checklist
33.29 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 14.68
26.91 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 16.40

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 month follow-up

A 17-item, self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. The range of scores is 17-85, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=9 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=11 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
PTSD Checklist
29.20 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 13.16
27.25 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 15.83

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre intervention

A 21-item, self-report measure of depression symptoms. The range of scores is 0-63, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Beck Depression Inventory
24.85 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 15.31
21.48 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.24

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Post intervention

A 21-item, self-report measure of depression symptoms. The range of scores is 0-63, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=13 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Beck Depression Inventory
28.56 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 16.25
14.18 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.81

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 month follow-up

A 21-item, self-report measure of depression symptoms. The range of scores is 0-63, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=9 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=11 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Beck Depression Inventory
24.57 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 14.43
13.90 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.59

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 month follow-up

A 21-item, self-report measure of depression symptoms. The range of scores is 0-63, with a higher value representing a worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure
n=9 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus DCS pill
Placebo Plus Exposure
n=11 Participants
Brief imaginal exposure therapy plus Placebo pill
Beck Depression Inventory
22.25 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.73
15.38 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.43

Adverse Events

D-Cycloserine Plus Exposure

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo Plus Exposure

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Brett Litz

Boston VA Healthcare System

Phone: 857 364 4131

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place