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A Hybrid 1 Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of Partner-Assisted Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
NCT06990191 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
PTSD occurs in up to 17% of post-9/11 US Service Members and is associated with long-term functional impairment, family problems, unemployment, and suicidality. Trauma-focused therapies (TFTs), such as Prolonged Exposure (PE), result in significant relief for many. Yet, TFTs are not equally effective for everyone. An important minority (\~40%) will retain their PTSD diagnoses after treatment, and many discontinue treatment prematurely, especially post-9/11 Service Members. TFTs are also more effective in addressing symptoms than psychosocial functioning. More work is needed to improve the consistency and potency of TFTs. Partnering with significant others may provide a powerful method for helping individuals get more out of their PTSD treatment. Observational research shows that relationship factors can help patients initiate, stay in, and experience greater benefit from PTSD treatment. Veterans that were surveyed experienced greater treatment gains when they shared more about their treatment with loved ones and when loved ones accommodated less for PTSD symptoms. Despite the promise of partner-involved interventions, there is no couples approach to PTSD treatment that has demonstrated superior outcomes to individual-only treatment models (i.e., TFTs). To address this gap, the investigators have completed a series of partner-assisted PTSD treatment studies, leading up the current proposal (Partnered PE, PPE). The investigators found that treatment completion rates were better than routine clinical care, and the treatment led to large improvements in participants' functioning, PTSD symptoms, and romantic functioning. For this proposed study, the primary objective is to conduct a randomized controlled trial (Research Level 3; larger-scale clinical trial) to test the superiority of PPE to standard PE among post 9/11 Veterans. The investigator's primary hypothesis is that PPE will lead to greater improvements in psychosocial functioning than standard PE. Secondary and t
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL Partnered Prolonged Exposure (PPE)
- BEHAVIORAL Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Study Locations (4)
Arizona
- Phoenix VA Healthcare System — Phoenix
California
- San Diego VA Healthcare System — San Diego
Minnesota
- Minneapolis VA Healthcare System — Minneapolis
South Carolina
- Charleston VA Healthcare System — Charleston
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 420 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-05-16 |
| Est. Completion | 2028-08-31 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06990191
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06990191 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 420 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is United States Department of Defense, which has 4 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Partnered Prolonged Exposure (PPE) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06990191 reports 4 study locations spanning 4 distinct geographic areas — top geographies include Arizona, California, Minnesota. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06990191 about?
NCT06990191 is a clinical study titled "A Hybrid 1 Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of Partner-Assisted Prolonged Exposure for PTSD". PTSD occurs in up to 17% of post-9/11 US Service Members and is associated with long-term functional impairment, family problems, unemployment, and suicidality. Trauma-focused therapies (TFTs), such as Prolonged Exposure (PE), result in significant relief for many. Yet, TFTs are not equally effectiv...
What is the current status of trial NCT06990191?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 420 participants. The study started on 2025-05-16. Estimated completion is 2028-08-31.
What conditions does trial NCT06990191 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06990191?
The interventions under investigation include: Partnered Prolonged Exposure (PPE) (BEHAVIORAL), Prolonged Exposure (PE) (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06990191?
This trial is sponsored by United States Department of Defense, which has 4 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06990191 being conducted?
This trial has 4 study locations across Arizona, California, Minnesota, South Carolina. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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