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Hexadecanal as an Addon to Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD

Key facts

Who runs it
Tel Aviv University
Where
Israel1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
40 people, planned
Started
5 May 2025
Expected to end
30 Dec 2026
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy + Hexadecanal
  • Hexadecanal - Molecule Distribution in the Therapy room
Record updated
16 May 2025

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 7 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM-5
  • Age 18 years and over
  • Eligible for CPT treatment at the National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience

Who cannot take part

  • Drug Addiction
  • Bipolar disorder, psychosis, neurological disorders
  • Parallel psychotherapy
  • Congenital or acquired anosmia

This trial has no sites in United States.

It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This RCT investigates whether Cognitive Processing Therapy, a first line treatment for PTSD, can be enhanced by the use of the odor molecule Hexadecenal (HEX). HEX is secreted from body odor and has been shown to promotes psychological well-being and positive social interaction. For the active group Hex will be diffused in the treatment room during all treatment sessions. For the control group a vehicle placebo molecule will be diffused. Both therapists and patients will be blind to study condition.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • HEXExisting treatment, for comparison

    Participants with PTSD who undergo Cognitive Processing Therapy will receive Hexadecanal molecules diffused in the therapy room.

    Treatment: Cognitive Processing Therapy + Hexadecanal and Hexadecanal - Molecule Distribution in the Therapy room

  • ControlPlacebo, for comparison

    Participants with PTSD who undergo Cognitive Processing Therapy will receive control mineral oil molecules diffused in the therapy room.

    Treatment: Cognitive Processing Therapy + Hexadecanal and Hexadecanal - Molecule Distribution in the Therapy room

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
Testing Potential Enhancement of Standard Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD Using Hexadecanal: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Record updated
16 May 2025