Fluoxetine vs EMDR to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Completed · Phase 3

Conditions studied: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

In brief

The purpose of this study is to compare two treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): fluoxetine (an antidepressant) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR, a psychological treatment in which the patient is led through the memory of a traumatic experience in order to heal him/herself). There are a variety of therapies used to treat PTSD, but the effectiveness of medication alone vs an exposure treatment, such as EMDR, has not been tested. Patients will be assigned randomly (like tossing a coin) to one of three groups for 8 weeks of treatment. Group 1 will receive fluoxetine; Group 2 will receive EMDR; and Group 3 will receive inactive placebo. Patients will then stop treatment and have evaluations, including psychological tests, at the time treatment is stopped, 8 weeks later, and at 6 months. An individual may be eligible for this study if he/she: Has PTSD and is 18 to 65 years old.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00000379

Run by

Boston University

Starts

1999-01-01

Expected to finish

2003-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2014-02-20

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Patients must have:
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Where it is running

• The Trauma Center — Brookline, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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