NCT07106593

Treatment for PTSD and Tinnitus

Treatment of TBI-Related Tinnitus and Comorbid PTSD: Examination of Neurobiological Markers Related to Symptom Improvement

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 160 (estimated)
• Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

In this study, researchers are examining the best sequence of interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tinnitus. Participants will either receive psychotherapy for PTSD first (Cognitive Processing Therapy; CPT), followed by treatment for tinnitus (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus; CBT-t); or vice-versa. We also aim to identify changes in brain functioning after receiving therapy.

Detailed description

After consenting to this study, study participants will be asked to speak with a study staff member about stressful or traumatic experiences, complete hearing assessments and questionnaires about exposure to traumatic events, PTSD symptoms, mental and physical health problems, such as depression and substance use, head injuries, and tinnitus. Participants who are able and willing may be asked to provide functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and after treatment. Participants will receive treatment for tinnitus and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in one of two ways: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) first and then Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus (CBT-t) OR CBT-t first, followed by CPT.

Conditions

• PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Tinnitus

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Cognitive Processing Therapy	CPT (Resick, Monson, \& Chard, 2024) consists of 12 50-minute sessions conducted over a 6- to 12-week period (Resick, Monson, \& Chard, 2008). The three phases of CPT include psychoeducation, processing, and challenging beliefs and assumptions related to the trauma, oneself, and the world.
BEHAVIORAL	CBT-t	The standard CBT-t protocol is gathered from the Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) program, and includes psychoeducation about how tinnitus can develop. CBT-t includes using behavioral principles to help manage tinnitus reactions, including the use of sounds: soothing sounds, background sound, and interesting sound. CBT-t teaches relaxation exercises, scheduling pleasant activities, and learn how to modify thoughts related to tinnitus. Therapists will also provide basic education on how to protect hearing health among participants in order to prevent worsening of tinnitus and to prevent exacerbation of any hearing loss.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-08
• Primary completion: 2028-08-01
• Completion: 2028-08-01
• First posted: 2025-08-06
• Last updated: 2025-08-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States