Efficacy of Cervical Sympathetic Blocks for PTSD (NCT07087015) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Efficacy of Cervical Sympathetic Blocks for PTSD
20 participantsStarted 2025-10
Plain-language summary
Millions of people suffer from anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-a condition that can profoundly disrupt daily life. Although treatments like therapy and medication help many, there is still a major need for more effective and faster-acting options. In recent studies, a procedure called cervical sympathetic block (CSB)-an injection near a nerve cluster in the neck-has shown promise in reducing PTSD symptoms, as measured by standardized tools like the CAPS (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale). In this study, the investigators will conduct a double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing CSB to a sham (placebo) injection in patients with PTSD. The investigators will assess changes in PTSD symptoms and also monitor physiological markers (like pupil response, temperature, and heart rate variability) to better understand how the treatment works and to improve the precision of future therapies.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 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
. Male or female, 18 to 70 years of age, inclusive, at screen.
. Able to read, understand, and provide written informed consent in English prior to screening, and likely to comply with study procedures and communicate effectively with study personnel regarding adverse events or other clinically important information.
. Diagnosed with PTSD prior to screening, according to the criteria defined in the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. The diagnosis of PTSD will be made by a trained study staff member and supported by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID).
. Meet the threshold of CAPS-5 score of \>20 during screening.
. Concurrent psychotherapy will be allowed if the type (e.g., supportive, cognitive behavioral, insight-oriented, et al) and frequency (e.g., weekly or monthly) of the therapy has been stable for at least 4 weeks prior to screening and if the type and frequency of the therapy is expected to remain stable during the course of the subject's participation in the study.
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 (CAPS-5) scores
Timeframe: Baseline (1 month before the block), 30 and 90 days post-block.
. Concurrent antidepressant therapy (e.g. SSRI or SNRI) will be allowed if the therapy has been stable for at least 4 weeks prior to screening and if it is expected to remain stable during the course of the subject's participation in the study.
. In sufficiently good health to proceed with a low-risk elective procedure, characterized using the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system as Class I, II, or III.
Exclusion criteria
. Has dementia, delirium, amnestic, or any other cognitive disorder
. Encephalitis, meningitis, degenerative central nervous system disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease), epilepsy, mental retardation
. Any other disease/accident/intervention associated with significant injury to or malfunction of the central nervous system with ongoing clinically significant sequelae, or in the view of the investigator poses a risk for participation in this study.