Recruiting

Intensive Multi-Couple Therapy vs. Relationship Education

Sponsor:

Penn State University

Code:

NCT06047691

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Abbreviated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD

Prevention and Relationship Education Program

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this clinical trial is to test an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (AIM-CBCT for PTSD) in an active military and veteran population. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does AIM-CBCT for PTSD improve PTSD symptoms?
  • Does AIM-CBCT for PTSD improve associated symptoms (e.g., depression), romantic partner distress, and couple relationship satisfaction?

Participants will participate in a two-day retreat in which they are taught and practice skills to decrease PTSD symptoms and enhance their relationships. Researchers will compare AIM-CBCT for PTSD to the Prevention and Relationship Education Program (PREP) to determine whether it is superior to an evidence-based relationship education curriculum that is also delivered in a two-day multi-couple group format.

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Study ID

NCT06047691

Start date

Sep 15, 2023

Status verified date

May, 2025

Completion date

Feb, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Feb, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Service member or veteran and a romantic partner willing to participate.
  • Couple is married or cohabiting for at least 3 months. Couple can be either different or same sex.
  • Service member/veteran diagnosis of PTSD as determined by the CAPS-5.
  • Each partner is at least 18 years old.
  • Both partners able to speak and read English.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Either partner reports current suicidal ideation severe enough to warrant immediate attention
  • Current homicide risk meriting crisis intervention for either partner
  • Current and severe alcohol misuse in either partner in the past 12 weeks and/or warranting immediate intervention
  • Recent (past month) manic episode or psychotic disorder symptoms in either partner
  • Evidence of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or other cognitive impairment in either partner
  • Couple is separated or have taken steps to dissolve their relationship
  • Either partner is currently participating in evidence-based treatment for PTSD (e.g., Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Present-Centered Therapy for PTSD, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD, or Structured Approach Therapy).
  • Evidence or admission of severe intimate aggression as indicated by a "yes" endorsement to the one-question Screen for Conflict Question by either partner occurring within the past 6-months.

Study Design

Enrollment

120 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Abbreviated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD

AIM-CBCT for PTSD is an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD, an evidence-based treatment for PTSD delivered in a conjoint format.

active comparator: Prevention and Relationship Education Program

PREP is an evidence-based relationship education program delivered in a multi-couple group format.

Interventions

Abbreviated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD

Approximately 12 hours of programming delivered over 2 consecutive days in a multi-couple group retreat format. Couples are provided with psychoeducation about PTSD and relationship functioning and are taught cognitive and behavioral skills to address the manifestation of PTSD in the couple relationship. Couples will also meet once individually with one of the group leaders 1-2 weeks before the retreat and once 1-2 weeks after the retreat.

Prevention and Relationship Education Program

Approximately 12 hours of programming delivered over 2 consecutive days in a multi-couple group retreat format.The content of PREP and workshop experiences focuses on helping couples communicate effectively, manage conflict without harming their relationship, preserve and act on commitment, improve relationship decision-making, increase understanding of differences between partners, and protect positive connections between partners. Approximately 12 hours of PREP content will be delivered over 2 consecutive days in a multi-couple group retreat format. Couples will also meet once individually with one of the group leaders 1-2 weeks before the retreat and will check in with a member of the study staff 1-2 weeks after the retreat.

Primary outcome measure

  • Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 [ Time Frame: baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Steffany J Fredman, Ph.D.

781-879-9758sjf23@psu.edu

Alan L Peterson, Ph.D.

(210) 562-6700petersona3@uthscsa.edu

Locations

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Recruiting

San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229

Contacts

Alan Peterson, Ph.D.

210-562-6703petersona3@uthscsa.edu

More Information

Sponsor

Penn State University

Last update posted

May 14, 2025

Last verified

May, 2025

Keywords

  • PTSD

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Penn State University on 2025-05-14.