Testing a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder

NCT05692271 | Completed Phase 2

• 1 other identifier: 061-2021
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the therapeutic tolerability of the use of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) with propranolol in participants with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The investigators are planning to perform an initial proof -of- concept randomized, placebo- controlled trial evaluating propranolol in participants with PTSD and AUD starting CPT for 12 weeks with three post-treatment follow ups at week-16, week-20, and week-24. Participants with current diagnosis of PTSD and AUD seeking treatment will be randomized to either a propranolol group (n=24) or placebo group (n=24) after enrollment. All participants will receive CPT for 12 weeks after randomization. Primary outcomes will be measured in both groups at the end of the study (week 12).

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Alcohol Use Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Number of CPT sessions attended

  Number of CPT (therapy) sessions attended by participants

  12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• CAPS-5 total symptom severity score

  12 weeks

• Number of drinks per week (TLFB)

  12 weeks

• Percent heavy drinking days (TLFB)

  12 weeks

• Alcohol craving

  12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Propranolol

EXPERIMENTAL

Medication treatment regimen will consist of 12 weeks of 40 mg immediate-release propranolol BID

Drug: Propranolol

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Matching placebo will be administered BID for 12 weeks

Drug: Placebo

Interventions

Propranolol DRUG

40 mg teva-propranolol taken twice daily for 12 weeks

Propranolol

Placebo DRUG

Matching placebo

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults between 18 and 70 years old inclusively
• Diagnosed with AUD in the past year (according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID)25). This will include active drinkers and recently abstained drinkers.
• has a minimum of two episodes of heavy drinking (≥5 drinks in a single day for men and ≥4 drinks in a single day for women) in the past 30 days as used in other trials26
• Diagnosed with current (past 30 days) PTSD with the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) on screening27
• On an antidepressant as treatment of PTSD (to ensure safety and homogeneity as PTSD treatment of study population). Antidepressants are the first-line treatment for PTSD as well major depression which commonly comorbid PTSD. The presence of antidepressants in study recruitment criteria will ensure additional safety if the trauma focused therapy triggered emotional distress which could temporarily activate depressive symptoms. The presence of antidepressants in all study participants will also ensure proper evaluation of the effect of propranolol without any confounders effect.
• Agrees (if the participant is female and of childbearing potential) to use at least one of the following highly effective methods of contraception, such as hormonal contraceptives (e.g. combined oral contraceptives, patch, vaginal ring, injectables, and implants); intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS); vasectomy and tubal ligation or alternatively double barrier method.
• Agrees not to start any other therapy including self-help group during the trial period. Exception will be made for participants who had already started therapy and have been attending the sessions for at least 6 months.
• Agrees not to start any anti-craving medications for alcohol use during the trial period. Exception will be made for participants who were already taking an anti-craving medication for at least 6 months.
• Able to speak and read in English

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed with a severe or unstable medical illness that precludes safe participation in the study as per study physician, including contraindications to propranolol administration such as asthma, diabetes, arrhythmia or congestive heart failure
• Diagnosed with psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder
• The use of alcohol abstinence medications within the past month
• Current moderate or severe substance use disorder (excluding alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and caffeine)
• A basal systolic blood pressure \< 100 mm Hg or basal heart rate \< 55 beats/minute
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Individuals with known hypersensitivity to propranolol
• Individuals with current use of medication that might interact adversely with propranolol such as anti-arrhythmic medication or calcium channel blockers
• Current suicidality risk as indicated during the conduct of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) with concurrence after a study physician's evaluation if the response to C-SSRS questions 1 or 2 is "yes"28
• Any participant known to have non-allergic bronchospasm such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, hypotension, metabolic acidosis, severe peripheral arterial circulatory disturbance, untreated phaeochromocytoma, Prinzmetal's angina
• Any participant with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation, including any non-medicinal ingredient, or component of the container.
• Any participant using catecholamine depletion drugs such as reserpine or guanethidine.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: lead

Study Sites (1)

CAMH

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Alcoholism

Interventions

Propranolol

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Phenoxypropanolamines; Propanolamines; Amino Alcohols; Alcohols; Organic Chemicals; Propanols; Amines; Naphthalenes; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Compounds

Study Officials

• Ahmed Hassan, MD

  CAMH

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

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: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 11, 2023
• First Posted: January 20, 2023
• Study Start: July 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2025
• Study Completion: June 15, 2025
• Last Updated: June 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2023-10

Locations

CA (1)