Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Combined With Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Military Personn… (NCT07715799) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Combined With Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Military Personnel With TBI
United States150 participantsStarted 2026-09-30
Plain-language summary
In this study, the investigators are evaluating whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a brain stimulation technique, can be combined with Written Exposure Therapy (WET), a standard talk therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to improve treatment response and improve symptom of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
After consenting to be in the study, participants will be asked to complete a baseline assessment of your psychological and physical health that will determine whether you are able to participate in the study. Following the baseline, you will be randomly assigned to receive tDCS or a sham/placebo. Everyone will also participate in 5 weekly WET psychotherapy sessions for 5 consecutive weeks. The first appointment will be 90 minutes and the subsequent appointments will be 60 minutes. tDCS or sham/placebo will occur during the writing portion of the session. All participants will also be asked to complete 1-, 3-, and 6-month posttreatment follow-up assessments.
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
. U.S military service member or veteran (18-70 years old)
. PTSD diagnosis as assessed by Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Scale (CAPS-5-R)
. History of mild to moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
. Able to speak, read, and write in English (due to assessment measures and writing intervention)
Exclusion criteria
. TBI that occurred within the past three months prior to the baseline assessment
. History of significant intracranial pathology (e.g., severe TBI)
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)
Timeframe: Baseline to 6 months
2
Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI)
Timeframe: Baseline to 6 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07715799
SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio