Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD
(ACT-SS Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Veterans with PTSD often have impaired social relationships and poor social support. The negative outcomes associated with poor social support are of particular concern for Veterans with PTSD, who often perceive the world to be dangerous, view their social support network as a threat to their safety, and avoid members of their support network in order to increase their perceived safety. The goal of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (ACT-SS), a treatment focused on helping Veterans with PTSD to increase social support with family relationships, partners, and peers by targeting maladaptive patterns of interpersonal difficulties, feelings of detachment from others, irritability, and avoidance of social situations. The primary aim of this study is to conduct a two-site randomized controlled trial of ACT-SS (n=75) vs. PCT (n=75), a common treatment for social support difficulties. If positive, this study will provide a critically-needed treatment for Veterans with PTSD to improve their social functioning and social reintegration in the community.
Research Team
Megan Marie Kelly, PhD MS
Principal Investigator
VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for Veterans aged 18+ with PTSD who struggle in social relationships. They must have a stable medication regimen for at least 2 months, be willing to be recorded, and score at least 31 on the PCL-5 scale. It's not open to those with recent suicidality, cognitive impairments, severe domestic violence issues, ongoing PTSD therapy or manic episodes, substance abuse within the last month, or any psychotic disorders.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support (ACT-SS) or Present-Centered Therapy (PCT) for 12 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in social functioning, PTSD symptoms, and quality of life
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD
- Present-Centered Therapy
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor