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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 81

Acceptance- and Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy versus Present-Centered Therapy for PTSD after cardiac arrest

Official title: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Acceptance and Mindfulness-based Exposure Therapy (AMBET) and Present Centered Therapy (PCT)

Run by Columbia University · NCT07410481 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project will test if Acceptance- and Mindfulness-Based Exposure Therapy (AMBET) or Present-Centered Therapy (PCT) better reduces PTSD symptoms in adults who survived a cardiac arrest.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 81 Years
SexAll
Enrollment90 (estimated)
SponsorColumbia University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 31, 2026
Main results expectedJune 30, 2028
Study endsMarch 31, 2029
Registry record updatedApril 9, 2026
Trial IDNCT07410481 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are English-speaking U.S. residents aged 18–81 who survived a cardiac arrest more than three months ago and have clinically elevated PTSD symptoms (CAPS-5 ≥25) and who do not have primary psychotic or bipolar disorder, recent moderate/severe substance use disorder, active suicidal intent, substantial cognitive impairment, recent changes in psychotropic medication, or current PTSD psychotherapy.

Probably not a fit

People with non-cardiac causes of their arrest (e.g., drowning, trauma, overdose), substantial cognitive impairment, recent unstable psychiatric conditions (psychosis, bipolar disorder, recent substance use disorder, active suicidal intent), recent medication changes, terminal illness with life expectancy under a year, or those already in PTSD psychotherapy may not benefit or be eligible.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Adults who survived a cardiac arrest more than three months ago and have clinically elevated PTSD symptoms are randomly assigned to receive either AMBET or PCT. Each participant receives 12 hours of individual psychotherapy delivered over about 12 weeks, completes brief weekly online mood and behavior surveys, wears a Fitbit to track sleep and activity, and does short homework between sessions. The trial measures change in PTSD symptoms (using instruments such as the CAPS-5) and other patient-reported and behavioral outcomes to compare the two therapies. Standard psychiatric and medical exclusions apply, and participants must be U.S. residents able to attend the Columbia University site.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy approach could reduce PTSD symptoms and improve sleep, activity levels, and overall recovery for cardiac arrest survivors.

How similar studies have gone: Exposure-based, acceptance-based, and mindfulness interventions have demonstrated benefit for PTSD in other populations, but combining these methods as AMBET and testing them specifically in cardiac arrest survivors is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Between 18 and 81 years old at the time of consent
2. Fluency in English
3. Medical history of cardiac arrest \>3 months ago
4. Clinically elevated PTSD symptoms (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) score ≥25)
5. U.S. Resident

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Lifetime history of primary psychotic or bipolar disorders
2. Current substance use disorder (moderate or severe in the past 6 months)
3. Active suicidal ideation with some intent to act in past 12 months, and/or suicide attempt in past 24 months
4. Substantial cognitive impairment (Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) score \<25)
5. Initiation of new psychotropic medication \<3 months ago
6. Non-cardiac etiology of CA (drowning, bleeding, trauma, drug overdose, etc)
7. Terminal illness with life expectancy \<1 year
8. Concurrent psychotherapy for PTSD

Where it's running

  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center
    New York, New York, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 35Cardiac Arrest (CA) 37Columbia University 189
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.