Trial Outcomes & Findings for Adapting and Piloting Behavioral Activation for Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (NCT NCT06249386)

NCT ID: NCT06249386

Last Updated: 2026-05-18

Results Overview

Changes in past-30-day alcohol consumption from baseline to immediately post-treatment. One standard drink is defined in the United States as any beverage containing 0.6 fl oz or 14 grams. A drinking day refers to a day with any alcohol use. Higher values on this outcome reflect greater alcohol consumption.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

10 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Results posted on

2026-05-18

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Behavioral Activation (BA)
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Relapse Prevention (RP)
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Overall Study
STARTED
5
5
Overall Study
Attended at least 6 sessions
4
2
Overall Study
COMPLETED
3
3
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
2
2

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Adapting and Piloting Behavioral Activation for Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Total
n=10 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
49.42 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.44 • n=11 Participants
52.53 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.84 • n=9 Participants
50.98 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.13 • n=20 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants
n=11 Participants
1 Participants
n=9 Participants
2 Participants
n=20 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants
n=11 Participants
4 Participants
n=9 Participants
8 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
0 Participants
n=9 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
0 Participants
n=9 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
0 Participants
n=9 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants
n=11 Participants
3 Participants
n=9 Participants
4 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants
n=11 Participants
2 Participants
n=9 Participants
6 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
0 Participants
n=9 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
0 Participants
n=9 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
0 Participants
n=9 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
5 Participants
n=11 Participants
5 Participants
n=9 Participants
10 Participants
n=20 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=11 Participants
0 Participants
n=9 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Timeline Follow-Back (percent of past 30 days with any alcohol use)
84.67 Percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 34.29 • n=11 Participants
82.67 Percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 33.28 • n=9 Participants
83.67 Percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 31.87 • n=20 Participants
Timeline Follow-Back (percent of past 30 days with heavy alcohol use)
16.00 Percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.63 • n=11 Participants
22.67 Percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.32 • n=9 Participants
19.33 Percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.95 • n=20 Participants
Timeline Follow-Back (average drinks per drinking day in the past 30 days)
4.36 Drinks per day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.59 • n=11 Participants
3.90 Drinks per day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.85 • n=9 Participants
4.13 Drinks per day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.22 • n=20 Participants
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (PTSD severity)
36.60 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.37 • n=11 Participants
38.20 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.64 • n=9 Participants
37.40 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.49 • n=20 Participants
Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (psychosocial functioning difficulties)
70.95 Percentage impairment
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.74 • n=11 Participants
50.74 Percentage impairment
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.49 • n=9 Participants
64.52 Percentage impairment
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.55 • n=20 Participants
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
42.20 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.77 • n=11 Participants
36.40 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.56 • n=9 Participants
39.30 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.79 • n=20 Participants
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
12.60 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.20 • n=11 Participants
9.40 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.52 • n=9 Participants
11.00 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.81 • n=20 Participants
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
13.80 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.79 • n=11 Participants
12.80 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.39 • n=9 Participants
13.30 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.46 • n=20 Participants
Insomnia Severity Index
20.00 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.75 • n=11 Participants
17.80 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.22 • n=9 Participants
18.90 Total symptom severity score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.23 • n=20 Participants
Geospatial Activity
426.5 Square kilometers (km2)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1664.32 • n=11 Participants
23.8 Square kilometers (km2)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 76.43 • n=9 Participants
247.52 Square kilometers (km2)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1254.03 • n=20 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 5 RP participants at baseline. Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 3 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-30-day alcohol consumption from baseline to immediately post-treatment. One standard drink is defined in the United States as any beverage containing 0.6 fl oz or 14 grams. A drinking day refers to a day with any alcohol use. Higher values on this outcome reflect greater alcohol consumption.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Timeline Follow-Back (Alcohol Use)
Baseline
3.90 Drinks per day
Standard Deviation 0.85
4.36 Drinks per day
Standard Deviation 1.59
Timeline Follow-Back (Alcohol Use)
Post-treatment
3.31 Drinks per day
Standard Deviation 2.70
1.82 Drinks per day
Standard Deviation 0.00

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 5 RP participants at baseline. Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 3 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-month PTSD severity from baseline to immediately post-treatment. Total scores on this measure range 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more severe PTSD symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (PTSD Severity)
Baseline
38.20 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 10.64
36.60 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 9.37
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (PTSD Severity)
Post-treatment
20.00 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 14.00
15.67 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 10.60

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 5 RP participants at baseline. Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 3 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-30-day psychosocial functioning from baseline to immediately post-treatment. The percentage measurement scale has a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 100, where higher values reflect greater functioning difficulties (worse functioning).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (Psychosocial Functioning)
Baseline
50.74 Percentage impairment
Standard Deviation 18.49
70.95 Percentage impairment
Standard Deviation 15.74
Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (Psychosocial Functioning)
Post-treatment
29.37 Percentage impairment
Standard Deviation 9.91
26.19 Percentage impairment
Standard Deviation 28.87

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 4 RP participants at baseline (1 RP participant did not consent to geospatial data collection). Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 2 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-14-day geospatial activity metrics (e.g., activity space) from baseline to immediately post-treatment. This outcome is measured in square kilometers (km2). The 14-day period began on the date of the baseline or post-treatment assessment at which all other outcome data were collected. Reported values represent the average activity space per day.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Geospatial Activity
Baseline
23.8 Square kilometers (km2)
Standard Deviation 76.43
426.5 Square kilometers (km2)
Standard Deviation 1664.32
Geospatial Activity
Post-Treatment
4.29 Square kilometers (km2)
Standard Deviation 22.32
1277.44 Square kilometers (km2)
Standard Deviation 8098.43

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 1.5 months (mid-treatment) and 3 months (post-treatment)

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 5 RP participants at baseline. Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 3 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-month PTSD severity from baseline through mid-treatment (an average of 1.5 months) to immediately post-treatment (an average of 3 months). Total scores on this measure range 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more severe PTSD symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Mid-Treatment
33.50 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 9.19
41.50 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 16.05
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Baseline
36.40 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 9.56
42.20 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 17.77
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Post-Treatment
22.33 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 19.60
23.00 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 17.00

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 5 RP participants at baseline. Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 3 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-2-week anxiety severity from baseline to immediately post-treatment. Total scores on this measure range 0 to 21, with higher scores reflecting more severe anxiety symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
Baseline
9.40 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 1.52
12.60 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 8.20
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
Post-treatment
5.33 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 3.06
6.67 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 5.51

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 5 RP participants at baseline. Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 3 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-2-week depressive symptom severity from baseline to immediately posttreatment. Total scores on this measure range 0 to 27, with higher scores reflecting more severe depressive symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Baseline
12.80 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 2.39
13.80 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 7.79
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Post-treatment
6.00 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 5.57
6.67 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 6.43

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 3 months

Population: Outcome data were available for 5 BA participants and 5 RP participants at baseline. Outcome data were available for 3 BA participants and 3 RP participants at post-treatment.

Changes in past-2-week sleep disturbance from baseline to immediately post-treatment. Total scores on this measure range 0 to 28, with higher scores reflecting more severe insomnia symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Relapse Prevention (RP)
n=5 Participants
Individual RP psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Behavioral Activation (BA)
n=5 Participants
Individual BA psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder
Insomnia Severity Index
Baseline
17.80 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 6.22
20.00 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 6.75
Insomnia Severity Index
Post-treatment
12.00 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 13.89
13.00 Symptom severity score
Standard Deviation 7.94

Adverse Events

Behavioral Activation (BA)

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

Relapse Prevention (RP)

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

Shannon Blakey, PhD

RTI International

Phone: 919-485-5427

Results disclosure agreements

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