Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic, debilitating condition that
disproportionately affects Veterans. Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is a "gold standard"
treatment for PTSD. However, approximately one-third of Veterans fail to receive an adequate
dose of treatment because they prematurely drop out of PE therapy. There is also room to
improve PE treatment outcomes. Consistent with the VA Office of Research and Development
initiative to develop effective treatments for PTSD, the proposed randomized clinical trial
will examine the ability of oxytocin (as compared with placebo) combined with PE to reduce
PTSD symptom severity, improve the rate of PTSD symptom reduction, and to enhance PE
treatment retention and adherence. This two-site study will leverage the investments made in
the nationwide rollout off PE therapy and has the potential to significantly improve mental
health care among Veterans, advance the science in this area, and identify mechanisms
underlying positive PTSD treatment response. Participants may choose to complete this
research study via home-based telemedicine (HBT) care (i.e. service delivery to patients in
their homes using consumer friendly, video-conferencing technology). HBT sessions will be
delivered via standard desk, laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone using VA approved
applications. All procedures that take place via telemedicine will be performed and completed
as though they were in-person/in-office