Comparing two PTSD treatments for Veterans at high suicide risk
A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of Treatments for Veterans with PTSD at Elevated Acute Risk for Suicide
This project compares a combined Dialectical Behavior Therapy plus Prolonged Exposure approach to standard Prolonged Exposure with suicide risk management for Veterans with PTSD who are at high immediate risk of suicide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Puget Sound Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222673 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would be randomly assigned to either a combined DBT + DBT Prolonged Exposure program or the current VA approach of Prolonged Exposure plus suicide risk management, delivered in VA clinics. Therapists will follow structured treatment protocols and participants will have regular safety monitoring and follow-up for self-directed violence and PTSD symptoms. The study also looks at how these treatments could be put into routine VA care, including therapist training and practical barriers. Researchers will collect symptom measures, records of self-directed violence, and implementation data over the treatment and follow-up period.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans with PTSD who are currently judged to be at elevated acute risk for suicide, such as those with recent self-directed violence.
Not a fit: People who are not Veterans, do not have PTSD, or are not at elevated acute suicide risk are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower suicide attempts and PTSD symptoms for Veterans and help the VA adopt clearer treatment guidance for high-risk patients.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller pilot work suggests DBT combined with Prolonged Exposure is feasible, acceptable, and promising, but a larger randomized trial is needed to confirm benefit.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harned, Melanie — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Harned, Melanie
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.