Department of Defense PTSD Adaptive Platform Trial - Master Protocol
This is a Phase 2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate multiple potential pharmacotherapeutic interventions for PTSD utilizing an adaptive platform trial design. Par...
National Adaptive Trial for PTSD Related Insomnia
Many Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have trouble sleeping or have frequent nightmares. So far, no medication has been approved for treatment of insomnia in PTSD. The purpose of thi...
A Comparison of Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Pharmacotherapy, and Their Combination for PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remains a salient and debilitating problem, in the general population and for military veterans in particular. Several psychological and pharmacological treatments...
Facilitation of Extinction Retention and Reconsolidation Blockade in PTSD
Purpose: About 6.4% of the U.S. population suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma-focused psychotherapies are generally effective in PTSD, but responses vary greatly across individu...
Integration of Cognitive Processing Therapy and Relapse Prevention for Alcohol Use Disorder and PTSD
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of a novel integrative cognitive-behavioral intervention in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). ...
Department of Defense PTSD Adaptive Platform Trial - Intervention C - Daridorexant
This is a Phase 2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate multiple potential pharmacotherapeutic interventions for PTSD utilizing an adaptive platform trial design. In...
Department of Defense PTSD Adaptive Platform Trial - Intervention A - Fluoxetine
This is a Phase 2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate multiple potential pharmacotherapeutic interventions for PTSD utilizing an adaptive platform trial design. In...
Prevention/Reduction of ASRs and PTSD to Sustain Civilian Performance With Sublingual Cyclobenzaprine HCl (TNX-102 SL)
This study will examine the safety and efficacy of TNX-102 SL to reduce ASR symptoms and behavioral changes among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) after motor vehicle collision (MV...
Combining Stellate Ganglion Block With Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the combination of Massed Prolonged Exposure (PE); a behavioral therapy for PTSD) and a stellate ganglion block (SGB; an injection of a local anesthetic i...
Lofexidine Combined With Buprenorphine for Reducing Symptoms of PTSD and OU Relapse in Veterans
The overall objective of the proposed study is to determine if lofexidine (LFX) as an adjunct to buprenorphine (BUP) treatment improves symptoms of both opioid use disorder (OUD) and Post-Traumatic St...
Phase IIa Trial of a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist in the Treatment of Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Seven Study)
The purpose of this study is to test the drug CORT108297, which blocks the hormone cortisol, for treatment of PTSD in Veterans, and establish a safety profile that will inform the design of future stu...
Suvorexant for Treatment of AUD and PTSD
This study is to determine if suvorexant (SUV) will reduce insomnia in 76 men and women veteran and non-veterans between the ages 21-65 with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol u...
Methylphenidate for the Treatment of PTSD With Associated Neurocognitive Complaints
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently accompanied by difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and inability to keep up with tasks, which negatively impacts a person's ability to function at...
Top Cities for PTSD Clinical Trials
PTSD clinical trials are recruiting across 36 cities. Here are the cities with the most active studies:
About PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts. Treatment includes trauma-focused psychotherapy and medications.
Clinical trials are advancing new treatments for ptsd. Currently, 13 studies are recruiting a combined 3,404 participants across the United States. Research is being conducted by 8 organizations including Global Coalition for Adaptive Research, VA Office of Research and Development, University of Pennsylvania and 5 others.
2026 PTSD Treatment Landscape & Drug Pipeline
PTSD clinical trials in 2026 explore both pharmacological and psychotherapy innovations. MDMA-assisted therapy showed 71% of participants no longer meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria in Phase 3 trials, and while its regulatory path is complex, it has accelerated research into psychedelic-assisted therapy protocols.
Stellate ganglion block (SGB), an anesthetic injection to a neck nerve cluster, has emerged as a rapid-acting intervention. Multiple VA-sponsored trials are testing SGB's ability to reduce hyperarousal symptoms within days rather than the weeks required for traditional PTSD treatments.
Novel pharmacological approaches include NMDA receptor modulators, neuropeptide Y analogs, and orexin receptor antagonists targeting sleep disruption — one of PTSD's most treatment-resistant symptoms. Psilocybin-assisted therapy is in Phase 2 trials for PTSD, building on success in treatment-resistant depression.
Technology-enhanced psychotherapies are advancing: virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) allows controlled trauma cue re-experiencing in safe clinical environments, while neurofeedback and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) target dysregulated brain circuits.
Patient considerations: Trials require confirmed PTSD diagnosis, often using the CAPS-5 scale. Most accept both military/veteran and civilian trauma survivors. Some psychedelic-assisted therapy trials require discontinuing certain psychiatric medications (SSRIs, benzodiazepines) under medical supervision — discuss this timeline carefully with your treating psychiatrist.
2026 PTSD Research Landscape
As of March 2026, the ptsd clinical trial landscape includes 13 actively recruiting studies across 36 cities in the United States. These studies are collectively seeking 3,404 participants, with an average enrollment target of 262 per study.
Research is being led by 8 different organizations, including Global Coalition for Adaptive Research, VA Office of Research and Development, University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Texas A&M University, and 3 others.
Geographically, ptsd trials are most concentrated in San Antonio, Texas (5 trials); Phoenix, Arizona (4 trials); Miami, Florida (3 trials); Atlanta, Georgia (3 trials); Tripler AMC, Hawaii (3 trials) and 7 other cities.
Featured PTSD Studies
Highlighted recruiting studies for ptsd, selected by enrollment size and research scope.
Department of Defense PTSD Adaptive Platform Trial - Master Protocol
This is a Phase 2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate multiple potential pharmacotherapeutic interventions for PTSD utilizing an adaptive platform trial design. Participants are randomized among the multiple cohorts in the study and the resulting randomization enables sharing/pooling of control participants, where all interventions may be compared to a common co...
National Adaptive Trial for PTSD Related Insomnia
Many Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have trouble sleeping or have frequent nightmares. So far, no medication has been approved for treatment of insomnia in PTSD. The purpose of this research study is to find out if taking medications called trazodone or eszopiclone can help decrease symptoms of insomnia in patients with PTSD. PTSD is a form of intense anxiety which sometimes re...
A Comparison of Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Pharmacotherapy, and Their Combination for PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remains a salient and debilitating problem, in the general population and for military veterans in particular. Several psychological and pharmacological treatments for PTSD have evidence to support their efficacy. However, the lack of comparative effectiveness data for PTSD treatments remains a major gap in the literature, which limits conclusions that can be d...
Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD Clinical Trials
Are there ptsd clinical trials near me?
Yes, there are 13 ptsd clinical trials currently recruiting across 36+ cities in the United States, including San Antonio, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Miami, Florida. Browse the studies above to find one at a location convenient for you.
How do I join a ptsd clinical trial?
To join a ptsd clinical trial: 1) Browse the available studies on this page, 2) Click on a study that interests you, 3) Check the study locations to find a site near you, 4) Review the eligibility criteria, and 5) Contact the study site or complete the eligibility form. The process is free and you can withdraw at any time.
Are ptsd clinical trials free?
Yes, participation in ptsd clinical trials is free. Study-related treatments, medical tests, and doctor visits are provided at no cost to participants. Many studies also offer compensation for your time and travel expenses.
What types of ptsd treatments are being studied?
Current ptsd clinical trials are testing a range of approaches. These include new drugs, combination therapies, medical devices, and other interventions sponsored by 8 research organizations.
Is it safe to participate in ptsd clinical trials?
Clinical trials are carefully regulated by the FDA and institutional review boards (IRBs). All trials must follow strict safety protocols, and participants receive close medical monitoring throughout the study. You can withdraw from a trial at any time without penalty.
Data updated March 1, 2026 from ClinicalTrials.gov
About This Data
Clinical trial information on this page is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Library of Medicine (NLM). Study data is refreshed every hour to ensure accuracy.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about clinical trial participation or changes to your treatment plan.
Page reviewed by the HelloStudys Research Team · Last updated March 1, 2026 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov