Exercise and Emotional Learning in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: PTSD

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to test how exercise affects learning and memory processes relevant to the treatment of PTSD. Participants will complete a baseline intake followed by two experimental sessions. During the first experimental session, participants will undergo an MRI session of imaginal exposure to traumatic memory cues followed by 30-minutes of moderate intensity exercise or low intensity exercise. Participants will complete a second session of imaginal exposure with MRI 24 hours later.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06127342
Run by: Christal L Badour
People needed: 100
Starts: 2024-05-13
Expected to finish: 2026-11-30
Last updated by the study team: 2025-09-03

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 64. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Adults with PTSD related to interpersonal violence

You may not qualify if…

Active or recent (within the last 3 months) severe substance use disorder(s)
Active or recent (within the last 3 months) suicidal, psychotic, or manic symptoms/ episodes
Significant developmental disabilities
Current daily benzodiazepine or stimulant use with inability to abstain for study sessions
Recent changes in psychiatric medication or trauma focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (past 4-weeks)
Medical condition(s) that prohibit exercise
History of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness > 30 mins
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindication(s)
Positive pregnancy test
History of seizure disorder
Spontaneous seizure(s) within the last 3 months

Where it is running

University of Kentucky — Lexington, Kentucky, United States (enrolling)
University of Texas — Austin, Texas, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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