Using cranial electrotherapy to prevent PTSD in firefighters
Official title: Cranial electrotherapy stimulation: Piloting a road to PTSD prevention in first responders
Funded at Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) · NIH-10853457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a gentle, noninvasive treatment called cranial electrotherapy stimulation can help prevent PTSD in firefighters, and it will involve a four-week trial to see how well they accept and respond to this approach.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $660,832 |
| NIH project number | 3P20GM130452-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10853457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are firefighters and first responders who are at risk for developing PTSD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not first responders or those who do not have a risk of PTSD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of noninvasive cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) as a potential preventative treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in firefighters. The study will involve a four-week course of CES to assess its feasibility and acceptability among first responders, who are at high risk for developing PTSD due to their challenging work environment. By focusing on this specific population, the research aims to gather early signals of CES's effects on mental health and overall functioning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide an innovative, noninvasive treatment option to help prevent PTSD in first responders.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to treating PTSD, the specific use of cranial electrotherapy for prevention in first responders is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greenberg, Benjamin D — Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
- Study coordinator: Greenberg, Benjamin D
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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.