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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy + Medication for PTSD

Phase 4
Recruiting
Research Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
military veteran
You have been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 14 weeks to 40 weeks
Awards & highlights
Pivotal Trial
Drug Has Already Been Approved
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will compare the effectiveness of different treatments for PTSD, including therapy and medication. The goal is to develop algorithms to predict the best treatment for individual patients.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for military veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD, can give informed consent, and speak English. They must be willing to undergo Prolonged Exposure therapy or take medications like paroxetine or venlafaxine XR, or both. Veterans who've had a failed trial of these therapies, active psychosis, certain medical conditions that conflict with the treatments, recent suicidal behavior, or history of manic episodes cannot participate.
What is being tested?
The study compares the effectiveness of Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy and pharmacotherapy using paroxetine or venlafaxine XR against their combination in treating PTSD. Participants will receive up to 14 sessions of PE and/or medication management over several weeks with follow-up assessments to measure treatment impact on PTSD severity and quality of life.
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects from PE may include temporary increases in distress during exposure tasks. Paroxetine can cause dizziness, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction among others; venlafaxine XR might lead to nausea, dry mouth, appetite changes etc. Both drugs could potentially increase suicidal thoughts especially at the start.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
You have served in the military.
Select...
I have been diagnosed with PTSD.
Select...
I am willing to participate in talk therapy, medications, or both.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~14 weeks to 40 weeks
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 14 weeks to 40 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change during active treatment on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
Change during active treatment on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Change during follow-up on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
+1 more
Secondary study objectives
Change during active treatment on the Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9)
Change during active treatment on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms - clinician rated (QIDS-C)
Therapeutic procedure
+5 more

Awards & Highlights

Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.
Drug Has Already Been Approved
The FDA has already approved this drug, and is just seeking more data.
No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Active Control
Group I: Prolonged Exposure TherapyActive Control1 Intervention
8-14 sessions of psychotherapy, each lasting 60-90 minutes, focused on imaginal exposure to trauma memories and in vivo exposure to trauma reminders
Group II: PharmacotherapyActive Control1 Intervention
20-60mg of paroxetine daily, or 75-300mg of venlafaxine XR daily
Group III: Combined treatment (Prolonged Exposure and Pharmacotherapy)Active Control2 Interventions
8-14 sessions of psychotherapy, each lasting 60-90 minutes, focused on imaginal exposure to trauma memories and in vivo exposure to trauma reminders AND 20-60mg of paroxetine daily, or 75-300mg of venlafaxine XR daily

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Birmingham VA Health Care SystemFED
San Diego Veterans Healthcare SystemFED
37 Previous Clinical Trials
5,165 Total Patients Enrolled
VA Palo Alto Health Care SystemFED
93 Previous Clinical Trials
57,702 Total Patients Enrolled
University of PennsylvaniaLead Sponsor
2,084 Previous Clinical Trials
42,726,233 Total Patients Enrolled
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research InstituteOTHER
580 Previous Clinical Trials
27,104,959 Total Patients Enrolled
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical CenterFED
30 Previous Clinical Trials
9,597 Total Patients Enrolled
Coatesville VA Medical CenterUNKNOWN
Milwaukee VA Medical CenterFED
3 Previous Clinical Trials
94 Total Patients Enrolled
North Texas Veterans Healthcare SystemFED
38 Previous Clinical Trials
4,004,857 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Paroxetine (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04961190 — Phase 4
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Research Study Groups: Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Pharmacotherapy, Combined treatment (Prolonged Exposure and Pharmacotherapy)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Trial 2023: Paroxetine Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04961190 — Phase 4
Paroxetine (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04961190 — Phase 4
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04961190 — Phase 4
~110 spots leftby Jul 2026