NCT06035809

Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART) Study

The Effects of Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART) on Adults With PTSD

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Sponsor: London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will investigate whether a movement and body-based treatment can benefit adults with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The treatment is called Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment, or "SMART", and study participation involves 8 sessions of SMART, as well as pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up assessments.

Detailed description

This study will investigate the use of SMART (Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment) with adults experiencing symptoms related to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). In addition to the more well-known symptoms of PTSD (e.g., intrusive memories, avoidance, hypervigilance, and emotion dysregulation), chronic traumatic stress seems to overwhelm the brain's capacity to make sense of sensory information, affecting how traumatized people experience their own bodies and their surroundings. SMART builds on the sensory integration theory of intentionally engaging the senses via movement, touch, body awareness, and balance. The SMART protocol has been used effectively to treat children who have experienced psychological trauma, and the investigators will be investigating its use with adults. Participants enrolled in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions - i) SMART, or ii) wait list (i.e., delayed treatment). Study participation will involve 8, 1-hour sessions of SMART, as well as pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up assessments. For those assigned to the wait list condition, the same 8 SMART sessions will be offered after the 3-month follow-up assessment is complete, with no further assessment required.

Conditions

• PTSD
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	SMART	A movement and body-based intervention in which participants are encouraged to explore the use of sensory equipment, which may help reduce symptoms related to psychological trauma/PTSD. Sensory equipment includes exercise balls, mini-trampoline, weighted blankets, and a hammock swing.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-15
• Primary completion: 2028-04-15
• Completion: 2028-04-15
• First posted: 2023-09-13
• Last updated: 2026-03-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada