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Evaluating Evidenced Based Options for PTSD Treatment

Key facts

Who runs it
Rush University Medical Center
Where
Chicago, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
400 people, planned
Started
6 Oct 2025
Expected to end
1 Jun 2030
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy
  • Prolonged Exposure
  • Skills Training for Affective and Interpersonal Regulation
Record updated
28 October 2026

Who can take part

Age
18 years and older
Sex
Women and men
Healthy volunteers
Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 17 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Are 18 years or older
  • Are fluent in English
  • Have experienced a Criterion A traumatic event during their lifetime
  • Have a PTSD diagnosis verified via the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5
  • Are interested in receiving evidence-based treatment for PTSD and able to attend 10 therapy sessions over the course of 2 weeks (10 days) and could possibly attend another 10 sessions of a subsequent treatment (additional CPT sessions, PE, or STAIR)
  • Are willing and able to complete self-report measures and clinician-rated assessments at multiple timepoints over the course of the study

Who cannot take part

  • They have not been on a stable dose of psychotropic medication for at least one month at the time of the baseline assessment
  • They have an intellectual disability or significant cognitive impairment that would prevent them from engaging in treatment
  • They have a serious or unstable medical illness or instability for which hospitalization may be likely within the next year
  • They have an active substance use disorder (within the past three months) that would require immediate medical observation if substance was abruptly discontinued
  • They have a visual or auditory impairment that would prevent them from fully participating in study activities
  • The index traumatic event occurred in the past month
  • They are currently suicidal or homicidal (i.e., current plan and imminent intent)
  • They have unmanaged psychosis or mania
  • They have completed an evidence-based cognitive behavioral PTSD treatment in the past three months or are currently engaged in an evidence-based PTSD treatment (CPT, PE)
  • They are involved with current legal actions related to their index trauma
  • They, at the time of consent, appear to have extenuating life circumstances (i.e., unstable housing, no internet access, etc.) which, in the judgement of the study team, could affect the ability to deliver interventions with fidelity

Where in United States

  • Rush University Medical CenterChicago, United StatesContact: HeldTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This study will look at:

Read full original descriptionShow less

How practical it is to offer another round of proven therapy. How effective different therapy options are for people who didn't respond to the first treatment.

The goal is to improve personalized care by:

Identifying factors that might predict how someone will respond to a second treatment.

Creating a simple tool to spot people who might not respond to treatment early, so they can start a different option sooner.

The findings will help improve PTSD care by offering better follow-up treatments and matching patients with the approach that works best for them.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Initial Course of Cognitive Processing TherapyOther group

    All participants will start in Arm 1 where they receive 10-sessions of Cognitive Processing Therapy.

    Treatment: Cognitive Processing Therapy

  • Subsequent TreatmentExisting treatment, for comparison

    At one-week follow up after initial Cognitive Processing Therapy, participants whose scores are 28 or above on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 will be offered a subsequent course of treatment.

    Treatment: Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Skills Training for Affective and Interpersonal Regulation

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Evaluating Evidence Based Options for Initial PTSD Treatment Non-Responders
Publications
Record updated
28 October 2026