Posttraumatic stress disorder: Beyond DSM-IV.
James A Chu
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20516157Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
ID06740487
Advanced Wireless Augmented Reality-Enhanced Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Led by Wayne State University · Updated on 2026-01-29
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
30 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
W
Wayne State University
Lead Sponsor
R
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate how augmented reality exposure therapy (ARET) might enhance traditional exposure therapy (ET) for U.S. military personnel diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study focuses on comparing clinical and psychosocial outcomes as well as treatment acceptance and satisfaction between veterans and active-duty members who receive ARET combined with traditional ET versus those who receive traditional ET alone. The trial involves 40 adult participants, both male and female, all with a current PTSD diagnosis and military service history. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive 10 sessions of traditional ET over 5 to 10 weeks, delivered in 60-minute sessions two to three times per week; the other group will receive 10 sessions of in-person ARET plus traditional ET as needed. The ARET group wears augmented reality goggles during therapy, engaging with virtual social scenarios like crowded gatherings and grocery stores, while therapists guide exposure using the ExpandXR system. Patients who meet specific improvement criteria after ARET may end treatment early, while others continue with additional traditional ET sessions. Both groups are encouraged to practice real-life exposure assignments between sessions. Throughout the trial, participants will attend therapy sessions and be assessed using various measures, including the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-5 Revised (CAPS-5 R), PTSD Checklist (PCL5), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and other questionnaires evaluating social functioning and avoidance behaviors. The study tracks symptom changes immediately after treatment, and at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Researchers will monitor treatment adherence, participant distress levels during exposure, and overall treatment satisfaction. The entire participation period spans the duration of the therapy sessions and follow-up assessments.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Advanced Wireless Augmented Reality-Enhanced Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult male or female over the age of 18 who has served or is currently serving in the military
- Current diagnosis of PTSD confirmed by Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) interview
You will not qualify if you...
- Active psychosis or dementia at screening
- Suicidal ideation with clear intent
- Concurrent enrollment in another clinical trial for PTSD or depression
- Substance use disorders
- Visual impairments preventing use of augmented reality goggles unless correctable with contact lenses or with vision correction no stronger than -2.00 diopters
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or via telephone)
Treatment
Duration - 5 to 20 weeks depending on response to treatment
Participants receive 10 sessions of exposure therapy over 5 to 10 weeks, with 2 to 3 sessions per week and weekends off. One group receives traditional exposure therapy alone, and the other group receives augmented reality-enhanced exposure therapy (ARET). Participants in the ARET group wear augmented reality goggles during sessions and engage in interactive scenarios. Those in the ARET group who do not show sufficient improvement after 10 sessions continue with 10 additional sessions of traditional exposure therapy.
2 to 3 sessions per week (in-person or via home telehealth), up to 20 sessions
Follow-up
Duration - 6 months post treatment
Participants are assessed for changes in PTSD symptoms and social functioning at 3 and 6 months after completing their treatment sessions.
2 follow-up visits (in-person or remote) at 3 and 6 months after last treatment session
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29403
Actively Recruiting
Loading map...
Research Team
A
Arash Javanbakht, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Published Research Related To This Trial
The psychological risks of Vietnam for U.S. veterans: a revisit with new data and methods.
Bruce P Dohrenwend, J Blake Turner, Nicholas A Turse...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16917066The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans: a meta-analysis.
Jessica J Fulton, Patrick S Calhoun, H Ryan Wagner...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25768399Documented combat exposure of US veterans seeking treatment for combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder.
B Christopher Frueh, Jon D Elhai, Anouk L Grubaugh...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15928355Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care.
Charles W Hoge, Carl A Castro, Stephen C Messer...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15229303Mental health problems, use of mental health services, and attrition from military service after returning from deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Charles W Hoge, Jennifer L Auchterlonie, Charles S Milliken
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16507803Treatment initiation and dropout from prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy in a VA outpatient clinic.
Shannon M Kehle-Forbes, Laura A Meis, Michele R Spoont...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26121175Real-life contextualization of exposure therapy using augmented reality: A pilot clinical trial of a novel treatment method.
Arash Javanbakht, Shantanu Madaboosi, Lana Ruvolo Grasser
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34672925CONSORT 2010 statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials.
Kenneth F Schulz, Douglas G Altman, David Moher...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20332509