Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augmented Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans With PTSD
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent and represents a high healthcare burden among Veterans. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a brain-based therapy that may be effective for treating PTSD. The theorized mechanism of rTMS is enhancement of emotional flexibility via the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex node of the brain's cognitive control network. Given this mechanism of action, adding rTMS to an evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD may enhance treatment effects. Written exposure therapy (WET) is a brief EBP for PTSD found to reduce attrition compared to lengthier first line treatments. In this study, the investigators will determine if active rTMS added to WET compared with sham rTMS added to WET results in improved PTSD outcomes. The investigators will also determine if emotional flexibility is a mechanism of symptom improvement. This work will improve upon PTSD intervention and inform the mechanism of treatment effectiveness for Veterans suffering from PTSD.
Description
The overarching goal of this CDA-2 proposal is to use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to augment effectiveness of written exposure therapy (WET), a narrative-based trauma exposure paradigm, in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotion dysregulation in Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans. As a clinical neuropsychologist with expertise in emotion regulation, Dr. Lantrip's long-term goal is to improve upon and develop effective interventions for trauma-related illness in Veterans by identifying and targeting behavioral and neural…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: -All veterans are eligible to be included in the study if they meet all the following criteria: * veteran; * English-speaking and able to provide written informed consent; * diagnosed with PTSD; * between the ages of 18 and 60 years. Participants over age 60 will not be included, as aging is known to impact brain structure, and thus the potential accuracy of the rTMS target, independently of PTSD. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with history of seizures or other serious neurological history including acquired, developmental or degenerative neurologic illness, identifi…
Interventions
- BehavioralWritten Exposure Therapy
Narrative written disclosure of trauma administered in an evidence-based protocol.
- Devicerepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Noninvasive magnetic neuromodulation device
Location
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TXTemple, Texas