Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00656344

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Enhanced by Virtual Reality for Individuals With PTSD and Substance Abuse

This study is exploring the use of an intervention designed to treat PTSD in individuals with comorbid PTSD and substance abuse resulting from the attacks of September 11 or from military service in Iraq. A cognitive behavioral treatment protocol will be used to treat PTSD. The exposure component of the protocol will be enhanced with the use of virtual reality in which the client will view a virtual environment while describing their trauma.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Substance Abuse Substance-Related Disorders Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Weill Cornell Medical College

New York, 10065, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • English-speaking
  • Between the ages of 18 and 70
  • Exposed to the WTC Attacks (were in towers or in the immediate area) or veterans of the Iraq War
  • Diagnosed with PTSD symptoms
  • Current substance abuse disorder or history of substance abuse disorder

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of current organic mental disorder
  • Presence or history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression with psychotic features, delusional disorder
  • Active suicidal ideation, intent, or plan
  • Active homicidal ideation, intent, or plan
  • Use of pacemaker
  • Medically unstable
  • History of seizures

Treatment and study plan

Cognitive behavioral treatment enhanced by virtual reality

Other

A cognitive behavioral protocol with cognitive and behavioral techniques will be used to treat symptoms. The exposure part of the treatment will be enhanced with the use of a virtual environment.

Primary outcomes

  1. posttraumatic stress symptomatology

    Time frame: prior to treatment, during the treatment, immediately following treatment and 6 months after the completion of treatment

Secondary outcomes

  1. substance use symptomatology

    Time frame: prior to treatment, during treatment, immediately following treatment, and 6 months after the completion of treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2006
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
Apr 11, 2008
Registry last updated
Dec 10, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.