Evacuation Time and Tourniquet Use as Risk Factors for PTSD in Combat-Related Amputation

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between evacuation time, tourniquet use, and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with combat-related amputations. In the context of modern warfare, prolonged evacuation times and extended tourniquet application may contribute not only to physical injury but also to psychological trauma. The study will prospectively follow patients over 18 months to identify key predictors of PTSD and to assess their interaction.

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Key information

Conditions

Amputation Combat Posttraumatic Stess Disorder Combat Trauma Mental Disorders PTSD Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Superhumans War Trauma Center

Lviv, Ukraine

About this study

Combat-related amputations are frequently associated with prolonged evacuation times and the use of hemostatic tourniquets. While these factors are critical for survival, their potential contribution to long-term psychological outcomes remains insufficiently studied.

This prospective longitudinal study will investigate how evacuation delays and tourniquet duration influence the development of PTSD symptoms in Ukrainian veterans with limb amputations. The study will also evaluate the interaction between these factors and their cumulative psychological impact.

Participants will be followed for 18 months using validated PTSD screening tools, including the PCL-5 questionnaire, combined with retrospective analysis of medical records.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Ukrainian veterans with combat-related injury (post-February 2022)
Single limb amputation
Admission to rehabilitation within 2-4 months post-injury
Age ≥18 years
Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Prior PTSD diagnosis before current injury
Multiple amputations
Rehabilitation duration >3 months
Return to active military duty before follow-up completion

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

PTSD severity measured by PCL-5 score

Time frame: 18 months (baseline, 2, 6, 12, and 18 months follow-up)

Severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms will be assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), a validated 20-item self-report questionnaire. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), with a total score range of 0 to 80, where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.

The primary outcome will be the total PCL-5 score measured longitudinally to evaluate changes in PTSD symptom severity over time and its association with evacuation time and duration of tourniquet use.

Secondary outcomes

Change in PTSD Severity Over Time

Time frame: Baseline to 18 months

Change in PTSD symptom severity measured as the difference in total PCL-5 score between baseline and follow-up assessments. This outcome will evaluate the trajectory of PTSD symptoms over time.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Dmytro Dmytriiev, PhD.Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+380674309449

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Charitable Organisation Charitable Fund Superhumans (Co Cf Superhumans)

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evacuation Time and Tourniquet Use as Risk Factors for PTSD in Combat-Related Amputation: A Prospective Cohort Study

Acronym: EVAC-PTSD Stud

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Mar 30, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 3, 2026

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.

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