NCT01188694

Brief Summary

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that involves intense memories of a traumatic event and intense, persistent feelings of anxiety. There are several effective therapies for PTSD, but they are often time consuming. The investigators want to see if the investigators can shorten treatment time while keeping therapy effective by adding a medication called methylene blue, USP, taken orally as a pill, to the therapy. The specific aims are: 1) To see whether medication plus psychotherapy improves PTSD symptoms more than placebo plus psychotherapy or a waitlist; 2) To examine the long-term outcome of those receiving medication plus psychotherapy 1 and 3 months after treatment has ended; 3) To examine whether medication plus psychotherapy helps with depression, trauma-related cognitions, and functioning.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
42

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_2

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2009

Typical duration for phase_2

Geographic Reach
1 country

3 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2009

Completed
11 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 20, 2010

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 25, 2010

Completed
2.6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2013

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 1, 2013

Completed
4.2 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

June 14, 2017

Completed
Last Updated

June 14, 2017

Status Verified

March 1, 2017

Enrollment Period

3.6 years

First QC Date

July 20, 2010

Results QC Date

January 6, 2017

Last Update Submit

May 16, 2017

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • PTSD Symptom Severity-Interview (PSS-I)

    PTSD Symptom Scale - Interview Version, higher scores represent higher PTSD severity (range 0 - 51)

    Pre-treatment, post-treatment (4 weeks from pre-), 1-month follow-up (from post-), and 3-month follow-ups (from post-)

Study Arms (3)

Psychotherapy plus Methylene Blue, USP

EXPERIMENTAL
Drug: Psychotherapy plus Methylene Blue, USP

Psychotherapy Plus Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Psychotherapy plus Placebo

Delayed Psychotherapy

OTHER
Behavioral: Delayed Psychotherapy

Interventions

This treatment involves daily visits with a therapist for 50 to 60 minutes for a total of six sessions. At the end of each session, 260 mg of methylene blue, USP will be given.

Psychotherapy plus Methylene Blue, USP

This treatment involves daily visits with a therapist for 50 to 60 minutes for a total of six sessions. At the end of each session, capsules containing the placebo will be given.

Psychotherapy Plus Placebo

Individuals must wait approximately five to six weeks to start treatment. They will come in for two check-in appointments before starting treatment. Treatment will consist of ten twice-weekly psychotherapy sessions (90-120 min each session).

Delayed Psychotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Current primary PTSD diagnosis based on DSM-IV criteria, with a minimum duration of 12 weeks since the traumatic event.
  • Between the age of 18 and 65.

You may not qualify if:

  • Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or organic mental disorder as defined by the DSM-IV.
  • Current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features, or depression severe enough to require immediate psychiatric treatment (i.e., serious suicide risk with intent and plan).
  • Current diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependence within the 3 previous months.
  • Unwilling or unable to discontinue current trauma-focused psychotherapy or psychotropic medication (at least 1 month medication free).
  • Ongoing intimate relationship with the perpetrator (in assault-related PTSD cases).
  • Unstable cardiovascular, autoimmune, endocrine, neurological, renal, hepatic, retinal, gastrointestinal, or hematological disorder or current seizure disorder.
  • Pregnant or nursing females; females of childbearing potential who are unwilling or unable to use an acceptable method of contraception for the duration of active treatment.
  • A history of hypersensitivity or allergy to MB.
  • Any condition possibly affecting drug absorption (e.g., gastrectomy).
  • Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
  • Other severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that, in the judgment of the Medical Directors, would make the participant inappropriate for entry.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (3)

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Location

University of Texas

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States

Location

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Zoellner LA, Telch M, Foa EB, Farach FJ, McLean CP, Gallop R, Bluett EJ, Cobb A, Gonzalez-Lima F. Enhancing Extinction Learning in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Brief Daily Imaginal Exposure and Methylene Blue: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2017 Jul;78(7):e782-e789. doi: 10.4088/JCP.16m10936.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Interventions

PsychotherapyMethylene Blue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, TraumaticTrauma and Stressor Related DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesPhenothiazinesSulfur CompoundsOrganic ChemicalsHeterocyclic Compounds, 3-RingHeterocyclic Compounds, Fused-RingHeterocyclic Compounds

Results Point of Contact

Title
Lori Zoellner
Organization
University of Washington

Study Officials

  • Lori A Zoellner, PhD

    University of Washington

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restrictive Agreement
No

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor, Department of Psychology

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 20, 2010

First Posted

August 25, 2010

Study Start

September 1, 2009

Primary Completion

April 1, 2013

Study Completion

April 1, 2013

Last Updated

June 14, 2017

Results First Posted

June 14, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-03

Locations