Condition
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder clinical trials and research
Research outlook What's coming for Post-traumatic stress disorder: the next 6 months to 5 yearsAs of November 12, 2026, Find a Trial lists 48 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder clinical trials that are recruiting, at sites in 8 countries (most in United States (38), Israel (3), Sweden (2)). By phase: Phase 2 (6), Early Phase 1 (1), Phase 1/2 (1), Phase 3 (1). The most active sponsors are VA Office of Research and Development (8), University of Vermont (2), Medical University of South Carolina (2). There are also 45 NIH-funded research projects on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, with $11.5 million in listed awards. Every study is explained in plain English. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov and NIH RePORTER, updated November 12, 2026.
- 48Clinical trials
- 45NIH research projects
- 8Countries
Newest Posttraumatic Stress Disorder clinical trials
All recruiting trials (48)
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Reboxetine plus Ritalin vs Dog-Assisted Therapy for PTSD
This study tests whether a drug combo of reboxetine and methylphenidate works better than dog-assisted therapy for people with PTSD.
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Self-Help CPT with WoVeN Peer Support for Women Veterans with PTSD
This study tests a self-help Cognitive Processing Therapy and a WoVeN peer-support program, alone and together, to see if they improve PTSD symptoms and well-being for women veterans.
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Adaptive, personalized PTSD care for veterans
This program will try different therapy sequences plus optional text-message homework reminders to see if switching treatments or sending prompts helps veterans with PTSD who aren't improving or are missing between-session homework.
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Multi‑Mode Cognitive Processing Therapy for adults with PTSD
This program will try a multi‑mode form of Cognitive Processing Therapy to reduce PTSD symptoms and improve sleep and mood in adults aged 20–65 with PTSD.
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Improving thinking, daily functioning, mood, and sleep after mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD
This project will test whether adding morning bright light therapy to compensatory cognitive training helps post-9/11 Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD think, function, and sleep better compared with a neutral ion generator.
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Combined MDMA and psilocybin treatment for Veterans with PTSD
This trial tests whether giving MDMA followed 30 minutes later by psilocybin can be safely used to reduce symptoms in military veterans with long-standing PTSD.
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Focused ultrasound to help veterans with PTSD
This study tests a non-invasive brain treatment using low intensity focused ultrasound to see if it can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve daily functioning in veterans.
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MOVED: a web-based mood-elevating program for Veterans with PTSD
This study tests MOVED, a web-based, self-guided program to see if it can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve social functioning and quality of life for Veterans compared with a neutral, supportive control.
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Predicting depression in patients after heart surgery
This study is trying to see if a new tool can help predict which patients might develop depression after heart surgery, so they can get help sooner.
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Prolonged exposure therapy with attendance incentives for pregnant people with PTSD
This program will try prolonged exposure therapy plus small financial incentives to help pregnant people reduce PTSD symptoms.
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Ketamine, stellate ganglion block, or both for TBI-related headache and PTSD
This trial will try ketamine infusions, a stellate ganglion block, or both to see if they reduce headaches and PTSD symptoms in adults with traumatic brain injury and/or PTSD.
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Resilient Roots: Support for youth and families affected by child abuse and neglect
This project will test whether adding a family- and community-focused socialization component to Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) helps 10–15-year-olds who experienced child abuse or neglect reduce trauma symptoms and improve coping.
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Using brain imaging to guide treatment for PTSD in veterans
This study is testing whether a new brain treatment using imaging to guide stimulation can help veterans with chronic PTSD feel better.
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Using brain stimulation to treat PTSD
This study is testing a new brain stimulation technique to see if it can help people with PTSD feel better and improve their quality of life.
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Optimizing the number of MDMA-assisted therapy cycles for veterans with PTSD
This program will try one to five cycles of MDMA-assisted therapy to see which number of cycles helps U.S. veterans with PTSD the most.
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Using retinal biomarkers to predict mental health treatment outcomes in PTSD
This study is testing if changes in eye signals can help predict how well veterans with PTSD will respond to a single dose of the medication sertraline.
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Examining how immune-inflammatory biomarkers affect PTSD treatment response
This study is trying to see how certain biological markers in the body affect how well people with PTSD respond to therapy over 12 weeks.
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Telemedicine therapy for PTSD in people with opioid use disorder
This study is testing a new telemedicine therapy for people with opioid use disorder and PTSD to see if it helps them feel better and stick with their treatment.
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Exploring brain stimulation to reduce PTSD symptoms
This study is testing whether a type of brain stimulation can help reduce symptoms of arousal in people with PTSD during therapy.
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Stepped complementary and integrative health care for people with chronic pain and PTSD
This will try a stepped complementary and integrative health (CIH) program to see if it is acceptable and helpful for adults with chronic pain and PTSD in primary care compared with usual care.
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Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Trauma Patients
This study is testing a short therapy called Brief Prolonged Exposure Therapy to see if it can help trauma patients avoid PTSD and improve their mental health after serious injuries.
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Therapist-guided online treatment for PTSD in Swedish immigrants
This study is testing an online therapy program for Swedish immigrants with PTSD to see if it helps reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
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Internet-delivered therapy for young people with PTSD
This study is testing if a special online therapy for PTSD can help young people aged 13-17 feel better compared to a different online therapy that focuses on relaxation and education.
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Mobile intervention to reduce anger in Veterans with PTSD
This study is testing a new mobile program designed to help Veterans with PTSD manage their anger better compared to a regular health education program.
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A program to improve mental health after traumatic events
This study is testing a new program called PATH to see if it helps people with PTSD and depression feel better after a traumatic event, compared to a relaxation technique called Progressive Muscle Relaxation.
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Intensive therapy for military couples dealing with PTSD
This study tests a special two-day therapy retreat for military couples to see if it helps reduce PTSD symptoms and improve their relationships better than regular relationship education classes.
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Digital therapy for women with PTSD and cannabis use after sexual assault
This study is testing a digital therapy to see if it can help women who have been sexually assaulted and are at risk for PTSD avoid developing problems with cannabis use.
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Combining Cognitive Processing Therapy and Relapse Prevention for PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder
This study is testing if a new combined treatment of therapy for PTSD and help for alcohol use can work better than just the alcohol help alone for people dealing with both issues.
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Improving therapy for veterans with PTSD and anxiety
This study is testing whether individual or group therapy can help veterans and service members with PTSD and anxiety feel better compared to regular care.
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Exploring the link between alcohol misuse, PTSD, and intimate partner violence in couples
This study is testing how alcohol misuse and PTSD affect violence between partners in couples to find better ways to prevent and treat these issues.
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Behavioral treatment for insomnia in veterans with PTSD
This study is testing a short behavioral treatment for insomnia to see if it helps veterans with PTSD sleep better compared to a relaxation training method.
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Examining the heart health of adults with trauma
This study tests if a healthy lifestyle program can improve heart health in adults with PTSD by helping them overcome challenges like stress and sleep problems.
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Understanding how Prolonged Exposure Therapy works for PTSD
This study is testing how Prolonged Exposure therapy helps people with PTSD by looking at changes in their thoughts, feelings, and body responses during and after treatment.
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Personalized emotion regulation skills training
This study is testing if teaching people personalized ways to manage their emotions can help them feel less negative every day compared to using standard methods.
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Reducing psychological barriers to PrEP use during pregnancy and postpartum in Cape Town
This project will test a brief cognitive-behavioral program to see if treating depression and posttraumatic stress helps pregnant and postpartum women in Cape Town stay on PrEP.
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Investigating risk and resilience factors in RCMP members
This study is testing how different factors affect the mental health of new RCMP cadets, especially regarding posttraumatic stress, and whether training in emotional resilience can help them cope better.
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Treating insomnia to improve heart and metabolic health in older adults with PTSD
This study is testing if treating insomnia with therapy can help older adults with PTSD improve their heart health and overall well-being.
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Improving access to mental health services after traumatic injury
This study is testing a new program that helps people recover mentally after a traumatic injury to see if it works better than standard care.
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Comparing two therapies for treating anxiety disorders
This study is testing two different therapies for anxiety to see which one helps people feel less anxious and improve their mental health better than just learning about anxiety.
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Using art therapy to improve emotional well-being in military personnel with PTSD
This study tests whether art therapy can help military personnel with PTSD feel better emotionally and improve their mental health.
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Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders and PTSD
This study is testing if written exposure therapy can help veterans with substance use disorders and PTSD feel better and improve their recovery compared to a standard treatment.
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Family involvement to improve PTSD treatment outcomes
This study is testing whether involving family members in therapy can help Veterans with PTSD stick with their treatment and feel better.
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Effect of Reboxetine and Methylphenidate on Attention and Emotion in PTSD
This study is testing if the medications reboxetine and methylphenidate can help improve attention and emotional control in adults with PTSD.
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Using a mobile app to help Veterans with PTSD
This study is testing whether a mobile app can help Veterans with PTSD stick to their therapy and feel better compared to those who only receive therapy.
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Using virtual reality to help healthcare workers with PTSD
This study is testing a virtual reality program to see if it can help healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients with PTSD feel better after experiencing trauma on the job.
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Using low-dose clonidine to treat PTSD in veterans
This study is testing if a low dose of clonidine can help veterans with PTSD feel better and improve their sleep and daily activities.
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EMDR treatment for PTSD after heart events
This study is testing if EMDR therapy can help people with PTSD after heart events feel better and reduce their risk of future heart problems.
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Exploring a new therapy for adolescents with PTSD
This study is testing a new therapy called Reminder Focused Positive Psychiatry to see if it can help teenagers aged 11-15 with PTSD feel better.
NIH-funded research (newest 40 of 45)
Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.
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Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation for PTSD in Veterans
A non-invasive device gently stimulates the vagus nerve to help reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans.
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Computationally mapping PTSD to better diagnosis and personalized care
A research project uses computer tools to find brain-based patterns that could help diagnose PTSD more clearly and tailor treatments for Veterans and others with PTSD.
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PTSD, Faster Aging, and Veteran Health
A study to see whether PTSD makes aging happen faster in veterans and how this could affect their health and care.
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Understanding how sensing sounds and sights affect PTSD
A study by the University of Texas Health Houston explores how abnormal brain sensing and fear networks contribute to PTSD and how these insights could guide future treatments.
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Inflammation and fear learning in PTSD
This study looks at how a temporary inflammatory challenge affects fear extinction in people with and without PTSD to better understand how PTSD could be treated.
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Mobile health support for people with opioid use disorder and PTSD after residential treatment
A mobile health tool will help adults with opioid use disorder and PTSD stay connected to support after they leave residential treatment.
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Mobile health tool to help Veterans with PTSD and depression improve daily functioning
A self-guided mobile app built on STAIR therapy is being adapted to help Veterans manage PTSD and depression in everyday life, with real-time checks on functioning and symptoms.
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Mantram Repetition Program for Veterans with PTSD and Chronic Pain
A VA study will test a meditation-based program to help veterans who have both PTSD and chronic pain feel better and sleep better, compared with standard health education.
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Integrated treatment for alcohol use and PTSD during pregnancy
A study to test a 2-part, pregnancy-tailored behavioral treatment delivered by telehealth to help pregnant people with alcohol use and posttraumatic stress disorder.
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Cerebellum–cortex brain connections in PTSD
Looks at whether connections between the cerebellum and other brain areas work differently in people with PTSD compared with people who experienced trauma but do not have PTSD.
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How sensory signals and brain circuits drive PTSD
This project looks at whether overactive sensory brain signals make fear, startle, and reactivity worse for people with PTSD.
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Brief insomnia treatment for Veterans with PTSD
A home-friendly, short program using video and phone calls to help Veterans who have insomnia and PTSD sleep better and feel more able to function in daily life.
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Personalized assessment of how GABA changes affect PTSD
This project tests how blocking GABA signals with a single dose of a benzodiazepine changes brain signals and behavior in Veterans with PTSD to identify a specific high-arousal subgroup.
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Targeted glucocorticoid-blocking medicine for Veterans with PTSD
Veterans with PTSD will receive a selective glucocorticoid receptor blocker called CORT108297 to help reduce stress-related PTSD symptoms.
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PET imaging of alpha-1 receptors in the brain for PTSD
A new PET brain scan to visualize alpha-1 adrenoceptors in people with PTSD to help identify who may benefit from prazosin treatment.
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How inflammation affects the ability to unlearn fear in PTSD
This work sees if a short-term rise in inflammation makes it harder for trauma-exposed men and women, with or without PTSD, to unlearn fearful responses.
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Improving sleep in veterans with PTSD through brief behavioral treatment
This study is looking at a short treatment to help veterans with PTSD sleep better, using video and phone sessions, and it will compare how well this treatment works against a relaxation training program.
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Understanding how sensory processing affects posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
This study is looking at how the way our brains process sensory information might affect people with PTSD, especially how certain brain areas related to fear can make symptoms worse, and it’s designed for anyone wanting to understand more about the connection between their senses and their feelings after trauma.
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Combining treatments for opioid addiction and PTSD
This study is working on a new therapy to help people who are dealing with both opioid addiction and PTSD, making it more effective by getting input from patients and doctors before testing it out to see if it works better than regular medication.
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Helping pregnant and postpartum women recover from PTSD
This project will try a short six-week online therapy called Narrative Exposure Therapy to reduce PTSD symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women, focusing on high-risk groups like rural and Black women.
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Does PTSD speed up biological aging in Veterans
This project looks at whether Veterans with PTSD have signs of faster biological aging using blood-based markers so high-risk Veterans can be identified earlier.
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PTSD and heart electrical stability in Vietnam-era veterans
This project looks at whether PTSD is linked to unstable heart rhythms in male Vietnam-era veterans using week-long heart monitoring.
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Understanding how methylphenidate affects the brain in PTSD patients
This study is looking at how the ADHD medication methylphenidate affects veterans with PTSD, using brain scans and behavior tests to help find better treatment options for those struggling with PTSD symptoms.
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Investigating the brain's connections in PTSD and trauma.
This study is looking at how a part of the brain called the cerebellum, which helps with movement, also plays a role in emotions and thinking for people with PTSD, to find new ways to help treat the condition.
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Helping veterans with alcohol use disorder and PTSD through new therapy techniques
This study is looking at how a special therapy can help veterans who are dealing with both alcohol problems and PTSD by encouraging them to engage in fun activities that don’t involve drinking, making it easier for them to feel better and enjoy life again.
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Improving sleep and functioning in veterans with PTSD
This study is looking for ways to help veterans with PTSD who have trouble sleeping, like insomnia and sleep apnea, by finding better treatments that work for them and improve their overall health and well-being.
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Creating new ways to diagnose and treat PTSD
This study is looking to make it easier to diagnose and treat PTSD by using smart computer tools to better understand the different symptoms people experience, which could lead to more personalized care for those affected.
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Exploring how insomnia treatment affects heart and metabolic health in older adults with PTSD
This study is looking at how treating insomnia can help improve heart and metabolic health in older adults with PTSD, and it's designed for those who struggle with sleep and want to feel better both mentally and physically.
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Testing a new medication for veterans with PTSD
This study is looking at how well a new medication called CORT108297 can help veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by improving their body's stress response, and participants will take the medication and share how they're feeling throughout the trial.
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Exploring how emotions and cravings affect substance use in veterans with PTSD
This study is looking at how feelings and cravings affect substance use in veterans with PTSD and substance use issues, and it aims to create helpful mobile tools to support them in managing their emotions and cravings in real life.
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Exploring the link between PTSD and type 2 diabetes
This study looks at how PTSD can impact people with type 2 diabetes, using health records from over six million veterans to learn more about how trauma affects diabetes management and care.
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Exploring how a healthy lifestyle can reduce heart disease risk in people with PTSD
This study is looking at how a program that helps people with PTSD make healthier lifestyle choices can improve their heart health, focusing on things like stress, finances, and medications.
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Understanding how inflammation affects fear responses in PTSD
This study is looking at how inflammation in the body might affect the way people with PTSD learn to overcome their fears, and it’s for anyone who has experienced trauma and wants to understand how their body might be impacting their healing process.
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Creating a mobile health tool to support individuals with opioid use disorder and PTSD during their transition back to the community.
This study is testing a helpful mobile app designed for people with opioid use disorder and PTSD to support them as they return to everyday life after treatment, making sure they have the resources they need to stay on track and avoid relapse.
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Using non-invasive nerve stimulation to help veterans with PTSD
This study is looking at a gentle device that stimulates a nerve in the neck to see if it can help veterans with PTSD feel better, especially if other treatments haven’t worked for them.
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Reducing PTSD symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women to improve health outcomes
This study is looking at how helping pregnant and new moms with PTSD can improve their health and their babies' health, especially for those who are at higher risk, like Black women and those living in rural areas.
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Using ear stimulation to help patients with PTSD and opioid addiction stay on medication
This study is looking at a new way to help people with both PTSD and opioid use disorder stick with their buprenorphine treatment by using a device that gently stimulates nerves in the ear, and we want to see how well they tolerate and accept this method during the first few months of their recovery.
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Creating a new imaging tool to visualize brain receptors related to PTSD
This study is testing a new imaging tool that helps doctors see specific brain receptors linked to PTSD, which could lead to better treatment options for people with this condition.
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Combining treatments for alcohol use disorder and PTSD after sexual assault
This study is testing a new five-session treatment for people who have experienced sexual assault and are dealing with alcohol problems and PTSD, to see if it can help them feel better and reduce their drinking.
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Evaluating insomnia treatment to lower heart disease risk in PTSD patients
This study is looking at how helping people with PTSD sleep better can also lower their chances of heart problems, using a special therapy called CBT-I to improve their sleep and checking their heart health along the way.
Related topics
Quick answers
How many Posttraumatic Stress Disorder clinical trials are recruiting right now?
48, as of November 12, 2026. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Where are these trials running?
In 8 countries. The most sites are in United States (38 trials), Israel (3 trials), Sweden (2 trials), Switzerland (2 trials), South Africa (1 trial). Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.
What phases are they in?
Phase 2: 6, Early Phase 1: 1, Phase 1/2: 1, Phase 3: 1. Trials with no phase listed are usually device, behavioural or observational studies.
How do I join one?
Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.
Find the studies that fit you
A list is a starting point. Tell us your situation in your own words and we'll rank the studies that match and explain why. It's free and needs no account.