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Sympathetic Overactivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Exploring PTSD effects through a clinical trial on stress response.

Recruiting
18-65 years
All
Phase N/A
  • Simplified description (AI rewritten)
  • Technical description (Original)

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common anxiety problem that can increase the risk of heart and blood pressure issues. This study looks at how overactive sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, which is the body's "fight or flight" response, affects people with PTSD. Two therapies will be tested: Device-Guided Breathing (DGB), which uses a special device to help slow breathing, and transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS), a device that gently stimulates a nerve in the neck with small electrical pulses. Both methods aim to calm the SNS and improve heart health.

Participants will be randomly assigned to use DGB or tVNS (or a fake version of each) for 15 minutes every day over 8 weeks. The goal is to see if these therapies can help people with PTSD by reducing SNS activity and improving blood vessel function.

Key Points:

  • The study lasts 8 weeks with daily 15-minute sessions.
  • Participants must be veterans with or without PTSD.
  • Those with certain health conditions or habits are not eligible.
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Study details
    Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
    Prehypertension

NCT01627301

Emory University

30 March 2025

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