Hybrid Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Veterans to Further Reduce Emotion Regulation Problems an… (NCT07652645) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Hybrid Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Veterans to Further Reduce Emotion Regulation Problems and Trauma Symptoms
Netherlands24 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
Around 10% of post-active veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) many years post-mission. PTSD in veterans is frequently associated with challenges in emotion regulation, aggression, suicidality, and financial and psychosocial stress. In 2018, a 12-week clinical treatment programme, the Veterans Intensive Treatment Unit (VIBU), was developed for veterans experiencing these psychiatric symptoms, for whom conventional treatments had proven ineffective. The VIBU provides patients with trauma-focused and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). A recent study revealed that the VIBU was effective in reducing psychiatric symptoms. However, a recurrence of symptoms was observed in patients a few months after discharge. Consequently, an aftercare programme consisting of hybrid DBT is offered to consolidate and repeat the DBT skills and apply them in daily life.
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:
* Adult veteran (18 years or older), treated at Sinai Center, with knowledge of DBT
* Primairy diagnosis of PTSD, determined with CAPS-5, resulting from war-related traumas
* Stable for four weeks on their medication (type and doses)
* Able to to do online homework assignments and communicate with their therapist via an eHealth platform
* Dutch speaking
Exclusion Criteria:
* Chronic psychosis (psychotic features as comorbidity from PTSD is allowed) or bipolar disorder type 1
* IQ below 80 or cognitive disorders
* Severe self-harming behaviour, such as auto-mutilation or suicidal ideations as main problem
* Following day treatments or other intensive treatment for residual symptoms
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.
1This trial is testing a 'hybrid' version of Dialectical Behavior Therapy specifically for veterans with PTSD, emotion regulation problems, and substance use — given my specific combination of symptoms, do you think this approach addresses what I'm personally struggling with most?
2Since this trial is listed as Phase NA, meaning it may be exploratory or focused on feasibility rather than a late-stage proven treatment, what does that mean for how much is already known about whether this approach is safe and effective for someone in my situation?
3The trial is measuring outcomes using two specific tools — the PCL-5 for PTSD symptoms and the DERS-SF for emotion regulation difficulties — so what would 'meaningful improvement' on those scales actually look like for my day-to-day life?
4DBT programs can be intensive and often involve multiple sessions per week — given my work schedule, family responsibilities, or any travel required to participate, is this realistically something I could stick with long enough to benefit?
5Before considering this trial, are there standard VA treatments for PTSD and substance use — like Prolonged Exposure or Cognitive Processing Therapy — that you'd recommend I try first, or do you think a hybrid DBT approach might actually be a better fit for where I am right now?
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
PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Timeframe: From the baseline to the end of the follow-up period (between 12-17 months)
2
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form (DERS-SF)
Timeframe: From the baseline to the end of the follow-up period (between 12-17 months)