Bilateral cervical sympathetic blocks with optional integrative therapy for Special Operations veterans with PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
Integrative Bilateral Cervical Sympathetic Blocks for Trauma-Related Symptoms in Special Operations Veterans: A Prospective Case Series.
This project will try bilateral cervical sympathetic blocks (BCSB), with or without added structured integrative therapy, to see if they reduce PTSD, TBI, and other trauma-related symptoms in Special Operations veterans.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Reset Medical and Wellness Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Strongsville, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT07473505 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective observational case series enrolling Special Operations Forces veterans who independently seek bilateral cervical sympathetic blocks as part of routine care. Participants receive BCSB using standardized FDA‑approved dosing of 0.5% ropivacaine, and outcomes are compared between those who receive BCSB alone versus BCSB plus structured integrative therapy. Validated symptom measures for PTSD, TBI, anxiety, and moral injury are administered alongside strict safety monitoring. Clinical procedures are performed at RESET Medical and Wellness Center and recruitment occurs through the Operator Relief Fund intake flow without altering clinical decision-making.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adult Special Operations Forces veterans with PTSD (PCL score ≥33), fluent in English, willing to provide informed consent and complete study procedures, and seeking BCSB treatment are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who received any cervical sympathetic block in the past 6 months, have acute psychiatric instability, have medical contraindications to BCSB, or are enrolled in other interventional trials are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce PTSD and TBI-related symptoms and may provide longer-lasting symptom relief when paired with structured integrative therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Related procedures such as unilateral stellate ganglion block have shown some promising early results for PTSD symptoms, but randomized long‑term evidence is still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years or older * PTSD (PCL Score of 33 or greater at baseline screening) * Willing and able to provide informed consent and complete study procedures * Fluent in English * Special Operations Forces Veteran Exclusion Criteria: * Recent Sympathetic Block: Receipt of any cervical sympathetic block (including stellate ganglion block \[SGB\], dual sympathetic ganglion block \[DSGB\], or bilateral SGB/BCSB), whether unilateral or bilateral, within the past 6 months. * Concurrent interventional clinical trial participation: Currently enrolled in another interventional clinical trial or receiving any experimental treatment targeting PTSD, TBI, or autonomic dysfunction during the study period * Acute Psychiatric Instability: Currently experiencing acute psychiatric crisis requiring inpatient care, active suicidal or homicidal intent, or untreated mania, psychosis, or severe dissociation * Medical Contraindications to BCSB: Any known anatomical abnormalities, bleeding disorders, allergy to local anesthetics, pregnancy, or comorbidities that represent a contraindication to receiving a cervical sympathetic block, per the treating physician's judgment. * Language or communication barriers: Inability to read, speak, or understand English sufficiently to complete informed consent and study assessments * Low PTSD Symptom Severity at Baseline: PCL-5 Score \< 33 at screening, indicating subclinical or minimal PTSD symptoms (Rationale: to ensure measurable clinical benefit and reduce floor effects)
Where this trial is running
Strongsville, Ohio
- Reset Medical and Wellness Center — Strongsville, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michael Louwers, MD — Reset Medical and Wellness Center
- Study coordinator: Michael Louwers, MD
- Email: mlouwers@theresetcenter.com
- Phone: 877-737-3810
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.