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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00784771

Hypnotherapeutic Olfactory Conditioning for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder can be difficult to treat. The investigators believe that hypnosis, with a stress on the sensation of scent which often plays a role in the traumatic memories, can offer help for victims of this disorder who continue to suffer after receiving other treatments.

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Key information

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Combat Stress Reaction Unit, Medical Corps, Mental Health Department, Israel Defense Forces

Tel Litwinsky, Ramat Gan, 71700, Israel

About this study

Our study examines the effect of hypnosis upon 36 individuals who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder incurred in battles or training. The hypnotherapy stresses elements of odor, both in conditioning the subject to relate certain pleasant odors with security and calm, and in gradually reexposing the patient to the olfactory aspects of the traumatic memories. All subjects are taken form the Israel Defense Forces Mental Health Clinic, treated with 6 one-and-a-half-hour hypnotherapy sessions, and evaluated at baseline, end of treatment, after 6 months, and after 12 months, on a battery of clinical scales.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • A diagnosis of chronic combat-related PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria (APA, 1994), as determined by semi-structured psychiatric interview conducted by a psychiatrist with over ten years of experience treating PTSD
  • Flashbacks and/or panic attacks with olfactory components
  • Prior attempt at treatment with unsatisfactory results
  • Competence and agreement to sign an informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Evidence of psychosis
  • Severe traumatic brain injury
  • Post-concussion syndrome
  • Uncontrolled substance abuse.

Treatment and study plan

Hypnotherapeutic Olfactory Conditioning (HOC)

Behavioral

Primary outcomes

  1. Impact of Event Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, one year

Secondary outcomes

  1. Beck Depression Inventory

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, one year

  2. Dissociative Experience Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, one year

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Herzog Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Hypnotherapeutic Olfactory Conditioning for Chronic Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2005
Primary completion
2007
Study completion
2007
First posted
Nov 4, 2008
Registry last updated
Nov 20, 2015

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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