Actively Recruiting
Impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on PTSD-CVD Link
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2025-09-25
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
156 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead Sponsor
A
American Heart Association
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This is a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of a first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Cognitive Processing Therapy; CPT) versus waitlist control on mechanisms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Further, this study will test the hypothesis that CPT reduces CVD risk through its effects on inflammation and autonomic function and that these changes are driven by changes in stress-related neural activity (SNA)
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on PTSD-CVD Link
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Experienced trauma with clinically significant PTSD symptoms in at least two symptom clusters
- Have subclinical or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or at least two risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, or active smoking
- Able to understand and sign informed consent
- Fluent in English
You will not qualify if you...
- History of stroke, brain surgery, or seizures
- Use of certain cardiovascular medications such as beta-blockers, high-intensity statins, or PCSK-9 inhibitors
- Changed psychiatric or cardiovascular medication within the past 4 weeks
- Currently receiving PTSD therapy
- Have neurological or systemic inflammatory diseases or currently using anti-inflammatory therapy
- Have moderate or severe alcohol or substance use disorder
- Have current mania or psychosis
- Weigh more than 300 lbs., have claustrophobia, pregnancy, metal implants incompatible with MRI, or uncontrolled high blood sugar
- Had significant radiation exposure for research purposes in the past 12 months
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michael Osborne, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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