Reducing Dropout and Improving Outcomes From PTSD Therapy: When to Switch Therapies or Stay the Course

Investigators' overall objective is to compare methods of identifying individuals who may be experiencing challenges in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and compare methods of intervening to optimize treatment retention and outcomes. Investigators' specific aims are: 1. to determine whether the use of CPT skills versus collaboratively considering switching to Present Centered Therapy (PCT) is more effective in improving outcomes for individuals experiencing challenges with CPT. Outcomes include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity \[primary\], depression, functioning, and treatment retention; 2. to compare two approaches to identifying individuals in CPT in need of additional support during treatment; 3. to study the barriers and facilitators of implementing these intervention strategies. Finally, exploratory aims will examine the stability of differences between treatment conditions, compare combinations of interventions tested, and examine moderators of intervention effects.

NCT Number	NCT06957067
Lead Sponsor	United States Department of Defense Collaborators: University of Minnesota, Lowcountry Center for Veterans Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Louisiana Veterans Research and Education Corporation, Mayo Clinic, Veterans Education and Research Association of Michigan, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for Veterans Research and Education, New Orleans VA Medical Center, Boston VA Research Institute, Inc., Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation, Ocean State Research Institute, Inc., Veterans Education and Research Association of Northern New England, Inc, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Phoenix VA Health Care System, Charleston VA Medical Center
Conditions	Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Enrollment	280 participants
Start Date	2025-03-17
Primary Completion	2028-05-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2028-08-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-11-14