The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits of combining repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) coupled with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in treating combat-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The study will also examine change in depression, psychosocial functioning, and neurophysiological (i.e., electroencephalography and magnetic resonance images) measures.
Veterans of Post-9/11 military conflicts
with diagnosis of PTSD based on CAPS-5 related to Post-9/11 military combat
current enrollment in an acute experimental treatment for PTSD or trauma-focused psychotherapy treatment
PTSD-inducing trauma exposure occurring within the last 3 months prior to pre-enrollment evaluation
history of epilepsy or seizure disorder, a history of major head trauma,
any neurologic condition likely to increase risk of seizures,
Parallel
Active rTMS
DeviceA Magstim Rapid2 Stimulator repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) device will be used to deliver 1 hertz (Hz) stimulation to right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) at 110% of a participant's rTMS motor threshold. The device passes electric current through a coil generating an alternating magnetic field. When positioned over the skull, the changing magnetic field causes electromagnetic inducted current flow in brain regions subjacent to the coil. Magnetic pulses (1.5-2.0 Tesla) lasting 100-300 microseconds at 1 Hz will be used. Motor threshold will be defined by the TMS intensity to right motor region required to induce visually perceptible movement of the contralateral abductor pollicus brevis 50 percent of the time.
Sham rTMS
DeviceA Magstim Rapid2 Stimulator repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) device will be paired with sham coil. The sham coil will induce electrical current flow in the tissue above the skull but will not induce current flow in brain tissue. The sham coil will be placed over the right prefrontal scalp region to target current flow in rDLPFC. Magnetic pulses lasting for 100-300 microseconds at 1 Hz will be used. For consistency across the rTMS conditions, motor threshold in the sham condition also will be determined by positioning the active rTMS coil over the right motor region and identifying the stimulation intensity required to induce visually perceptible movement of the contralateral abductor pollicus brevis 50 percent of the time.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
BehavioralCognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidenced based, trauma-focused treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CPT is a recommended form of treatment in the Veterans Administration - Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD. The CPT manual delineates the agenda for each of 12 sessions (60 minutes per session): 1) Introduction to CPT and Patient Education regarding PTSD, 2) Meaning of the Trauma, 3) Identification of Thoughts and Feelings related to the Trauma, 4) Remembering the Trauma, 5) Identification of Stuck points, 6) Challenging Questions about the Trauma, 7) Dysfunctional/Maladaptive Thinking patterns related to the Trauma, 8) Safety Issues, 9) Trust Issues, 10) Power and Control Issues, 11) Self-Esteem Issues, and 12) Intimacy Issues.
Treatment group differences in change from baseline to 6-months post-treatment on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (CAPS-5) Total Severity Score
Evaluation of treatment group differences on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (CAPS-5) Total Severity Score (20 item sum, range 0-80, higher score=greater severity) in change from baseline to 6 months after the 12-week interventions. Weathers, FW, Blake, DD, Schnurr, PP, Kaloupek, DG, Marx, BP, \& Keane, TM. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). www.ptsd.va.gov: National Center for PTSD, 2013.
Treatment group differences in change from baseline to 1 month post-treatment on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (CAPS-5) Total Severity Score
Evaluation of treatment group differences on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (CAPS-5) Total Severity Score (20 item sum, range 0-80, higher score=greater severity) in change from baseline to 1 month after the 12-week interventions. Weathers, FW, Blake, DD, Schnurr, PP, Kaloupek, DG, Marx, BP, \& Keane, TM. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). www.ptsd.va.gov: National Center for PTSD, 2013.
Treatment group differences in change from baseline to 12 months post-treatment on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (CAPS-5) Total Severity Score
Evaluation of treatment group differences on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (CAPS-5) Total Severity Score (20 item sum, range 0-80, higher score=greater severity) in change from baseline to 12 months after the 12-week interventions. Weathers, FW, Blake, DD, Schnurr, PP, Kaloupek, DG, Marx, BP, \& Keane, TM. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). www.ptsd.va.gov: National Center for PTSD, 2013.
Treatment group differences in change from baseline to 1 month post-treatment on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (PCL-5) Total Severity Score
Evaluation of treatment group differences on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (PCL-5) Total Severity Score (20 item sum, range 0-80, higher score=greater severity) in change from baseline to 1 month after the 12-week interventions. Weathers FW, Litz BT, Keane TM, Palmieri PA, Marx BP, Schnurr PP. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Scale available from the National Center for PTSD at www.ptsd.va.gov, 2013.
Treatment group differences in change from baseline to 6 months post-treatment on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (PCL-5) Total Severity Score
Evaluation of treatment group differences on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) (PCL-5) Total Severity Score (20 item sum, range 0-80, higher score=greater severity) in change from baseline to 6 months after the 12-week interventions. Weathers FW, Litz BT, Keane TM, Palmieri PA, Marx BP, Schnurr PP. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Scale available from the National Center for PTSD at www.ptsd.va.gov, 2013.
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The University of Texas at Dallas
Lead sponsor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Collaborator
Johns Hopkins University
Collaborator
Metrocare Services of Dallas
Collaborator
Florida State University
Collaborator
