Enhancing Memory in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

In brief

Several psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a strong evidence base for their efficacy, but nonresponse rates are high, particularly among older Veterans. Accumulating evidence indicates that memory deficits and poor learning of therapy contents adversely affect psychotherapy treatment response in PTSD. However, limited research has examined methods for increasing learning of therapy contents in psychotherapy for PTSD. The proposed study aims to examine the feasibility of integrating an intervention to increase learning and memory of psychotherapy content into the provision of a widely used psychotherapy, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), for older adults with PTSD. The ultimate goal of this line of research is to develop novel rehabilitation interventions to increase functioning for individuals with PTSD.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06000475

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

30

Starts

2024-10-15

Expected to finish

2026-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-30

Who can join

Age: 60 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Veterans with DSM-5 diagnoses of PTSD via the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5)

You may not qualify if…

• daily benzodiazepine use (due to memory impairing effects)
• bipolar or psychotic disorders
• current suicidal ideation with plan or intent
• current moderate or severe substance use disorder not in remission for >1 month
• severe traumatic brain injury
• a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) indicative of dementia
• or other disorders that would severely limit study participation

Where it is running

• Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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