Examining Intranasal Oxytocin Augmentation of Brief Couples Therapy for Veterans With PTSD

Summary

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.

Timeline

Start

2024-10-28

Primary completion

2028-09-30

Completion

2028-09-30

Publications

• Sippel LM, Wachsman TR, Kelley ME, Knopp KC, Khalifian CE, Maglione JE, Glynn SM, Macdonald A, Monson CM, Flanagan JC, Holtzheimer PE, Morland LA. Design of a randomized clinical trial of brief couple therapy for PTSD augmented with intranasal oxytocin. Contemp Clin Trials. 2024 Jun;141:107534. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107534. Epub 2024 Apr 12.

Drugs

Indications