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Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Combined With Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Military Personnel With TBI
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Summary
In this study, the investigators are evaluating whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a brain stimulation technique, can be combined with Written Exposure Therapy (WET), a standard talk therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to improve treatment response and improve symptom of traumatic brain injury (TBI). After consenting to be in the study, participants will be asked to complete a baseline assessment of your psychological and physical health that will determine whether you are able to participate in the study. Following the baseline, you will be randomly assigned to receive tDCS or a sham/placebo. Everyone will also participate in 5 weekly WET psychotherapy sessions for 5 consecutive weeks. The first appointment will be 90 minutes and the subsequent appointments will be 60 minutes. tDCS or sham/placebo will occur during the writing portion of the session. All participants will also be asked to complete 1-, 3-, and 6-month posttreatment follow-up assessments.
Official title: A Randomized Clinical Trial Using Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Combined With Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Military Personnel With TBI
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 70 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
150
Start Date
2026-09-30
Completion Date
2030-09-01
Last Updated
2026-07-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulator
tDCS will be administered using a Soterix 1x1 Transcranial Direct Current Stimulator. The intervention for this study will compare five, 30 minute sessions of active tDCS (2.0mA) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) vs. a sham condition (0.0mA) for the treatment of PTSD in a sample of military personnel with mild to moderate TBI.
Written Exposure Therapy
Participants in both treatment conditions will receive 5 weekly sessions of WET delivered as standard of care for PTSD. WET is an evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy for PTSD that is recommended by the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for PTSD that is brief and effective.
Locations (1)
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States