A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based Moral Elevation Intervention for Veterans With PTSD (NCT06788678) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based Moral Elevation Intervention for Veterans With PTSD
United States250 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments for PTSD, there are many challenges to successful trauma recovery for Veterans including difficulties starting and completing these treatments and gaps in fully addressing additional important treatment targets including lower social functioning and quality of life. Alternative, stand-alone treatment options that address a range of outcomes and can be easily accessed are needed to expand the reach of PTSD treatment to Veterans. One way to address this need is with a positive psychology intervention called MOVED, which has shown promise in a prior pilot study. MOVED is a web-based, self-guided intervention (8 sessions, 4 weeks) that uses moral elevation-feeling inspired by others' virtuous actions. This clinical trial will test if MOVED leads to decreased PTSD symptoms and increased social functioning and quality of life compared to a generic supportive treatment that does not focus on moral elevation. Results will help determine if MOVED is a useful alternative approach to target trauma recovery among Veterans with PTSD.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Enrolled in a VISN 17 health care system
* English-speaking and able to provide written informed consent
* Willingness to complete study procedures and be randomized
* Internet access and an electronic device to complete the web-based sessions
* Current diagnosis of PTSD based on the CAPS-5
* History of PTSD diagnosis for at least 1 year
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of severe traumatic brain injury indicated by medical record review and the Ohio State Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID)
* Current psychosis or mania as indicated by medical record review and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
* Current suicide risk based on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
* Currently enrolled and actively participating in a trauma-focused treatment including:
* Cognitive Processing Therapy
* Prolonged Exposure
* Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
Timeframe: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
2
World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF)
Timeframe: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
3
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0)
Timeframe: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.