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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Part of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

10 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

106 trials tracked for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 17 in phase 3 or 4 and 8 with published results. The most-cited published study has 972 citations.

106Trials tracked
17Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
8With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 12 Phase 3 5 Phase 2 17 Phase 1 1 Other / NA 71
  1. Phase 3 A Multi-Site Phase 3 Study of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD (MAPP1) Completed · 972 cited
  2. Phase 3 A Multi-Site Phase 3 Study of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD (MAPP2) Completed · 400 cited
  3. Phase 4 A Psychophysiologic Study of Weakening Traumatic Combat Memories With Post-Reactivation Propranolol Completed · 177 cited
  4. Phase 3 Closed Loop Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed · 74 cited
  5. Phase 4 PROlonGed ExpoSure Sertraline Completed · 40 cited
  6. Phase 4 Pilot Study of Pharmaceutical and Behavioral Interventions to Treat Anxiety Disorders Completed · 37 cited
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 4 Suvorexant and Trauma Related Insomnia Completed · 26 cited
  2. Phase 4 An Open Label Pilot Study of Adjunctive Asenapine for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed · 13 cited
  3. Phase 4 Effects of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on Retention of Memory for Fear Extinction Learning in PTSD: R61 Study Completed
  4. Phase 4 Suvorexant and Sleep's Benefits to Therapeutic Exposure for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed
  5. Phase 4 Telemedicine Outreach for Post Traumatic Stress in CBOCs Completed
  6. Phase 4 A Study of Sertraline to Prevent PTSD Completed
  7. Phase 4 Combined Mirtazapine and SSRI Treatment of PTSD: A Placebo-Controlled Trial Completed
  8. Phase 4 Combination Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) After the World Trade Center (WTC) Attack Completed
  9. Phase 4 Placebo Controled Clinical Trial Using Topiramate To Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Patients. Completed
  10. Phase 3 Telemental Health and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Rural Combat Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed
  11. Phase 3 Exposure Therapy for Chronic PTSD: Efficacy and Mechanisms Completed
  12. Phase 2 Study of Safety and Effects of MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of PTSD (Canada) Completed
  13. Phase 2 Dose-Response Study of MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy in People With PTSD Completed
  14. Phase 2 Prevention of Post Sexual Assault Stress Completed
  15. Phase 2 Prazosin for Alcohol Dependence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed
  16. Phase 2 Study of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted Psychotherapy in People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed
  17. Phase 2 The Effect of NK1R Antagonism on Alcohol Craving and PTSD Symptoms in Alcohol Dependent Patients With PTSD Completed
  18. Phase 2 MDMA-Assisted Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) in Dyads in Which 1 Member Has Chronic PTSD Completed
  19. Phase 2 Additional MDMA-assisted Therapy for People Who Relapsed After MDMA-assisted Therapy Trial Completed
  20. Phase 2 Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Four Different Potencies of Smoked Marijuana in 76 Veterans With PTSD Completed
  21. Phase 2 D-cycloserine Adjunctive Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adolescents Completed
  22. Phase 2 Nepicastat for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in OIF/OEF Veterans Completed
  23. Phase 2 CAP: Doxazosin in the Treatment of Co-Occurring PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorders Completed
  24. Phase 2 Study Comparing Three Doses of MDMA Along With Therapy in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed
  25. Phase 2 IOK Treatment Study Completed
  26. Phase 2 Enhancing Prolonged Exposure With Cannabidiol to Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed
  27. Phase 2 MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy in People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Completed
  28. Phase 2 CAP-Ketamine for Antidepressant Resistant PTSD Completed
  29. Phase 1 Improving Functional Outcomes of Veterans With PTSD and Tobacco Dependence Completed
  30. N/A Mobile Intervention for Veterans With PTSD and Anger Completed
  31. N/A Transdiagnostic Psychotherapy for Veterans With Mood and Anxiety Disorders Completed
  32. N/A Stepped Care for Children After Trauma: Optimizing Treatment Completed
  33. N/A Treating Co-Morbid Sleep Difficulties in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Pilot Study Completed
  34. N/A Telemedicine and Anger Management Groups With PTSD Veterans in the Hawaiian Islands Completed
  35. N/A Comparative Effectiveness of Two Treatments for Veterans With PTSD Completed
  36. N/A Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation for Veterans With Comorbid TBI/PTSD Completed
  37. N/A Improving Veteran Adherence to Treatment for PTSD Through Partnering With Families Completed
  38. N/A Adjunctive Brief Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia (BBTI) for Sleep Intervention (SI) Completed
  39. N/A Evaluating a Novel Working Memory Training Program to Decrease Symptoms of PTSD Completed
  40. N/A TOP Implementation Project Completed
  41. N/A Effectiveness and Acceptability of Stellate Ganglion Block for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms - Effectiveness Completed
  42. N/A SUPER Study (Substance Use and PTSD Treatment Effectiveness Research Study) Completed
  43. N/A Supported Employment in Patient Aligned Care Teams Completed
  44. N/A Using Attentional Bias Modification to Address Trauma Symptoms Completed

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 106 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: what the trials found

Pharmacological interventions for PTSD include several agents with varying outcomes. Sertraline was evaluated in a large cohort 5, and Paroxetine demonstrated significant improvements in Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) scores, with a notable number of participants meeting remission criteria 15. Topiramate also showed statistically significant improvement on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale 13.

Additional pharmacological findings include suvorexant, which significantly reduced Insomnia Severity Index scores 7, and adjunctive asenapine, which resulted in a significant reduction in both CAPS total scores and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores 8. Midomafetamine was evaluated in two trials regarding the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), showing reductions in total scores from baseline [16, 17].

Non-pharmacological interventions show mixed results. Telemedicine outreach significantly reduced PTSD symptom severity (PDS) and depression symptom severity (SCL-20) 12. Cognitive Processing Therapy delivered via group videoteleconference did not show a statistically significant difference in CAPS IV scores 19. Propranolol was studied for impact on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) 4, but did not significantly change skin conductance responses 6.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • * Narrative Exposure Therapy and Enhanced Implementation Strategy are currently being evaluated [1, 2]. * Behavioral Activation (BA) was assessed; however, no statistically significant differences were found in alcohol use, PTSD severity, or psychosocial functioning 3.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Sertraline and Paroxetine are established options for reducing PTSD symptoms and achieving remission [5, 15].
  • Suvorexant may be utilized to address insomnia specifically within the PTSD population 7.
  • Telemedicine is an effective modality for reducing both PTSD and depression symptom severity 12.

AI synthesis of 10 cited trials, updated Jun 24, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.

Research across Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Related studies from across the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder family.

Affective dysregulation and self-blame predict voices and delusions in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with PTSD
Psychiatry RCT
Affective dysregulation and self-blame predict voices and delusions in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with PTSD Mapping the connections between trauma symptoms and voices in schizophrenia
This randomized controlled trial involved 305 participants with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, distressing symptoms, and comorbid PTSD. Ne…
New research looks at how feelings of self-blame and mood swings impact people living with schizophrenia and PTSD.
Women in sub-Saharan Africa show higher odds of anxiety and PTSD compared to men
Psychiatry Meta-analysis
Women in sub-Saharan Africa show higher odds of anxiety and PTSD compared to men Women in sub-Saharan Africa face higher anxiety and PTSD rates
This meta-analysis of 175 studies identifies a significantly higher prevalence of anxiety (39% vs 30%) and PTSD (39% vs 26%) in women compar…
A review of 175 studies finds 39% of women in sub-Saharan Africa have anxiety or PTSD, compared to 30% and 26% of men.
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation utilizes distinct auricular and cervical pathways for non-invasive treatment applications
Neurology Sys. Review
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation utilizes distinct auricular and cervical pathways for non-invasive treatment applications Two different ways to stimulate the vagus nerve for treatment
This narrative review examines the anatomical access points and methodologies for transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS). It distingu…
New research highlights two distinct paths for non-invasive nerve stimulation to treat conditions like migraine and depression.
Heterogeneous ASD phenotypes and inadequate sensory criteria necessitate more robust diagnostic assessment standards
Psychiatry Sys. Review
Heterogeneous ASD phenotypes and inadequate sensory criteria necessitate more robust diagnostic assessment standards New research highlights two distinct types of autism spectrum disorder
This narrative review examines the diagnostic validity, phenotypic heterogeneity, and assessment methodologies for Autism Spectrum Disorder …
Current diagnostic tools may miss many people with autism because they do not account for different ways the condition presents in daily lif…
Interventions reduce mental health symptoms in people affected by extreme weather events across multiple studies
Psychiatry Meta-analysis
Interventions reduce mental health symptoms in people affected by extreme weather events across multiple studies Helpful actions reduce mental health problems after extreme weather events for many people
A comprehensive review of thirty-three studies reveals that targeted interventions significantly improve mental health outcomes for individu…
A review of thirty-three studies shows that specific actions help people feel better after disasters. These steps lower stress, sadness, and…
Depression screening predicts lower health-related quality of life in ICU survivors
Psychiatry RCT
Depression screening predicts lower health-related quality of life in ICU survivors Depression and anxiety symptoms lower health quality for ICU survivors after leaving the hospital
This cross-sectional analysis of pre-randomization data from a randomized controlled trial evaluated 319 intensive care unit survivors. Depr…
A study of 319 ICU survivors found that depression and anxiety symptoms significantly reduce health quality. Screening for these issues is i…
Systematic review and meta-analysis of MDMA-assisted therapy for trauma and depression
Psychiatry Sys. Review
Systematic review and meta-analysis of MDMA-assisted therapy for trauma and depression MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for trauma and depression in mental illness
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence on MDMA-assisted therapy for trauma and depression. It found significant moder…
A review of MDMA-assisted therapy found significant reductions in trauma and psychopathology compared to controls, though larger trials are …
Review of a men's cooking class for male earthquake survivors in Japan
Primary Care & Family Medicine Sys. Review
Review of a men's cooking class for male earthquake survivors in Japan Men’s Cooking Classes Help Earthquake Survivors Reconnect
This narrative review synthesizes qualitative findings from the Red Apron Project's Men's Cooking Class for male survivors of the Great East…
After a devastating earthquake, a simple cooking class helped men reconnect and rebuild their community.
Protocol for COMPASS CBT pilot trial in forcibly displaced Venezuelan adults in Peru
Psychiatry RCT
Protocol for COMPASS CBT pilot trial in forcibly displaced Venezuelan adults in Peru First pilot trial tests new therapy for displaced Venezuelans in Peru
This protocol outlines a randomized pilot trial evaluating COMPASS, an open-source cognitive behavioral therapy program delivered by lay pro…
A new pilot trial will test a low-cost therapy for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in forcibly displaced Venezuelans living in Peru.
Uncensored traumatic video exposure linked to higher PTSD severity in post-October 7 cohort
Psychiatry Cohort
Uncensored traumatic video exposure linked to higher PTSD severity in post-October 7 cohort Watching Trauma Videos May Increase PTSD Risk
This cohort study examined a large group of individuals in the first months following the October 7 events, none directly exposed.
Seeing graphic trauma online can trigger stress even if you were safe.
Narrative review proposes connectomic-guided psychosurgery framework for treatment-refractory patients
Psychiatry Sys. Review
Narrative review proposes connectomic-guided psychosurgery framework for treatment-refractory patients Researchers report framework for psychosurgery in treatment-refractory cases
This narrative critical review synthesizes contemporary psychosurgery options for treatment-refractory psychiatric disorders.
A new framework proposes connectomic-guided psychosurgery for treatment-refractory OCD, depression, and related disorders, based on symptom …
Independent skills practice between music therapy sessions linked to fewer symptoms in TBI/PTSD patients
Neurology RCT
Independent skills practice between music therapy sessions linked to fewer symptoms in TBI/PTSD patients Music Homework Between Sessions Helps Veterans Recover Better
This retrospective observational analysis of military-connected individuals with traumatic brain injury and/or post-traumatic stress disorde…
Simple music exercises at home may help veterans feel better between therapy visits.

Questions about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Can a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation treatment help adults with chronic mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD?

Early evidence suggests non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation may reduce symptoms in adults with chronic mild TBI and PTSD, but more research is needed.

Full answer →
Is there a trial testing hydrocortisone to prevent PTSD after a traumatic event?

Yes, a 2024 Cochrane review found no clear evidence that hydrocortisone prevents PTSD after trauma, though some older studies suggested possible benefit.

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Are there genetic factors that link PTSD to other internalizing disorders?

Yes, a large genetic study found that PTSD shares many genetic risk factors with other internalizing disorders like anxiety and depression, but also has unique genetic influences.

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Do early-life adversities increase my risk of developing PTSD after stress?

Yes, early-life adversities increase your risk of developing PTSD after later stress, and this risk persists even after the effects of acute trauma fade.

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What risk factors make PTSD symptoms last longer after a traumatic event?

Female sex, early-life adversity, acute depression symptoms, and assault-type trauma are linked to longer-lasting PTSD.

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See all 5 questions about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder →