Examining Intranasal Oxytocin Augmentation of Brief Couples Therapy for Veterans With PTSD
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2028-04-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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.