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rTMS-augmented Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD

NCT05149534 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 98

Last updated 2026-01-12

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent and represents a high healthcare burden among Veterans. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a brain-based therapy that may be effective for treating PTSD. The theorized mechanism of rTMS is enhancement of emotional flexibility via the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex node of the brain's cognitive control network. Given this mechanism of action, adding rTMS to an evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD may enhance treatment effects. Written exposure therapy (WET) is a brief EBP for PTSD found to reduce attrition compared to lengthier first line treatments. In this study, the investigators will determine if active rTMS added to WET compared with sham rTMS added to WET results in improved PTSD outcomes. The investigators will also determine if emotional flexibility is a mechanism of symptom improvement. This work will improve upon PTSD intervention and inform the mechanism of treatment effectiveness for Veterans suffering from PTSD.

Conditions

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Written Exposure Therapy

Narrative written disclosure of trauma administered in an evidence-based protocol.

DEVICE

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Noninvasive magnetic neuromodulation device

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Center for PTSD

    collaborator FED

  • VA Office of Research and Development

    lead FED

Principal Investigators

  • Crystal M Lantrip · Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
60 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-01-03
Primary Completion
2027-01-29
Completion
2027-01-29
FDA Device
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05149534 on ClinicalTrials.gov