WET+MPH
Enhancing Written Exposure Therapy in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress: Clinical, Physiological and Behavioral Markers of Adjunctive Methylphenidate Treatment
Sponsor study identifier
Secondary identifiers
OTHER_GRANT · VA Office of Research and Development
interventional
138
1 country
1
Study Start
July 1, 2027
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Primary Completion
September 30, 2030
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Study Completion
September 30, 2030
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Many Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do not fully benefit from the best current treatments, some of which focus on helping the brain regulate trauma memories. While therapies like Prolonged Exposure and Written Exposure Therapy work for many, about half of Veterans still struggle with symptoms even after treatment. Research suggests that methylphenidate (commonly known as Ritalin), a safe and widely used medication, may improve PTSD symptoms and related mechanisms. This project will test whether adding methylphenidate to Written Exposure Therapy will result in a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to Written Exposure Therapy alone. The investigators will also study body and behavior markers to better understand how and why some Veterans respond to treatment. If successful, this approach could give providers a new, practical tool to improve recovery from PTSD. Ultimately, this work could lead to more personalized, effective care for Veterans, helping them return to fuller and healthier lives.
Registry-reported information. Elapsed time and enrollment totals alone do not measure study progress or recruitment pace.
September 30, 2030
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
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Some registry-reported names shown below are not yet linked in this graph.
Dates and qualifiers reported by the registry. Estimated dates do not confirm that a milestone has occurred.
September 30, 2026
Actual (reported)October 29, 2026
Actual (reported)July 1, 2027
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
September 30, 2030
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
September 30, 2030
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity will be measured via the diagnostic interview, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), where the CAPS-5 score range = 0 - 80. Higher scores = more severe PTSD symptoms.
Change from pre-treatment to 4-weeks post-treatment
Adverse Event Checklist (AE Checklist)
The Modified-FIBSER is collected at every WET session (sessions 1-5), over a timeframe of up to 10 weeks
Modified Frequency, Intensity, and Burden of Side Effects Rating (FIBSER) Scale
The Modified-FIBSER is collected at every WET session (sessions 1-5), over a timeframe of up to 10 weeks
Fear Extinction learning
Change from pre-treatment to 4-weeks post-treatment
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
Change from pre-treatment to 20-weeks post-treatment
Written Exposure Therapy plus methylphenidate (MPH 40mg)
Written Exposure Therapy plus placebo (PBO)
WET will administered per manualized protocol, either in-person or via telehealth technology
active medication
VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, 92161-0002, United States
Andrea Townsend, PhD
VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
Victoria B Risbrough
VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
First Submitted
September 30, 2026
First Posted
October 29, 2026
Study Start
July 1, 2027
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Advancing Skills Through Consultation, Education, and Novel Technologies
Registry-reported names are shown in full. Names without a link have not yet been matched to a Syfrah profile.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Primary Completion
September 30, 2030
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Study Completion
September 30, 2030
EstimatedPlanned date reported by the registry; this milestone is not confirmed as achieved.
Last Updated
October 29, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-10
Upon completion of the study and no later than 6 months after breaking the blind the data will be uploaded to the VA CESAMH Biorepository. The VA CESAMH Biorepository will house the data for future analyses. Requests for data will be approved through the Biorepository Board and with appropriate Data Use Agreement across the VA and requesting institution. US-based academic and Veteran Affairs institutions may apply for data access.
Download the complete ClinicalTrials.gov record imported by Syfrah, including fields not shown in this page. The registry may contain a newer revision.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov.
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