Brief Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD With Adjunctive Intranasal Oxytocin
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2022-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
In 2019 VA mandated that all Veterans seeking mental health care have access to flexible
family mental health services in VA (VHA directive 1163.04). This study aims to respond to
this mandate by further improving an evidence-based PTSD treatment designed to decrease PTSD
symptoms and improve relationship satisfaction for Veterans and their romantic partners.
Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (B-CBCT), an 8-session dyadic psychotherapy for
PTSD, has been found to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, but the effects of B-CBCT on
relationship satisfaction are less reliable and robust. Pharmacological augmentation of
psychotherapy utilizing intranasal oxytocin, a neurohormone that influences mechanisms of
trauma recovery and social behavior, may help improve relationship satisfaction outcomes. If
successful, the proposed study will advance knowledge of strategies for improving Veterans'
quality of life by improving their intimate relationships along with PTSD symptoms.