VA Office of Research and Development
Leveraging veterans' intimate relationships during treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has the potential to concurrently improve PTSD symptoms and relationship quality. Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (bCBCT) is a manualized treatment designed to simultaneously improve PTSD and relationship functioning for couples in which one partner has PTSD. Although efficacious in improving PTSD, the effects of CBCT on relationship satisfaction are small, especially among Veterans. Pharmacological augmentation of bCBCT with intranasal oxytocin, a neurohormone that influences mechanisms of trauma recovery and social behavior, may help improve the efficacy of bCBCT. The purpose of this randomized placebo-controlled trial is to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of bCBCT augmented with intranasal oxytocin (bCBCT + OT) versus bCBCT plus placebo (bCBCT + PL). The investigators will also explore potential mechanisms of action: communication, empathy, and trust.
The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (bCBCT) paired with intranasal oxytocin (OT) versus placebo on PTSD symptoms, intimate relationship satisfaction and psychosocial functioning in a sample of veterans with PTSD (across all measures) and their intimate partners (relationship satisfaction only). The study will also explore the impact of intranasal oxytocin on potential mechanisms of action (i.e., communication skills, empathy, and trust). bCBCT is a modified PTSD-specific cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy attended by the c…
Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for Veteran: 1. Be a Veteran (age 18 or older) with a current DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD (as assessed by the CAPS-5 with a minimum severity score of 25) no less than 3 months after the index trauma occurred (to allow for potential natural recovery) 2. Be on a stable psychoactive medication regimen for at least 4 weeks (if applicable) 3. Be enrolled and eligible to receive care at the VASDHS Inclusion criteria for Partner: 4. Be an intimate partner (age 18 or older) who is willing to participate in the intervention (partners can also be Veterans but can…
Veteran participants will self-administer 40 IU of intranasal oxytocin 30 minutes before the start of each bCBCT session.
Veteran participants will self-administer 40 IU of the placebo (intranasal saline spray) 30 minutes before the start of each bCBCT session.
Eight sessions of standardized bCBCT, a manualized couple-based intervention for PTSD designed to simultaneously reduce PTSD and enhance relationship and functioning.
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