A Frequency-Modulated Music Intervention to Enhance Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorOhio State University

About this trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the addition of frequency filtered music (Safe and Sound Protocol) to daily cognitive processing therapy improves effectiveness for reducing PTSD symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does the addition of frequency filtered music reduce PTSD symptoms for patients receiving cognitive processing therapy for PTSD? * Does the addition of frequency filtered music to cognitive processing therapy improve stress physiology (arousal)? * Does improvement in physiological stress regulation help explain improvements in hyperarousal and PTSD symptoms? Researchers will compare the effects of a frequency filtered classical music playlist to an identical playlist without added filtering. Participants will be randomized to a music playlist.

Participants will:

* Receive 10 daily sessions of cognitive processing therapy * Listen to 15 minutes of music before their therapy sessions (2.5 hours music listening total). * Complete clinical interviews and questionnaires before, during, and up to 6 months after therapy. * Have their physiological arousal monitored during listening and therapy sessions * Wear a Fitbit device and complete smartphone surveys for 4 weeks

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

At least 18 years of age

Meets diagnostic criteria for a) PTSD or b) subthreshold PTSD with hyperarousal (i.e., meets diagnostic threshold for 3 of 4 symptoms, one of which is hyperarousal)

Ability to move between sitting to standing without assistance

Ability to attend two weeks of daily in-person therapy sessions at either the Ohio State University or at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) Medical Center

Disqualifiers

Heart condition (such as cardiac arrhythmia) or pacemaker

An allergy that would prevent wearing adhesive for durations of 2 hours or less

Insufficient English fluency to fully engage in psychotherapy

Use of hearing aids

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Frequency Filtered Music
  • Unfiltered Music
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD

Treatment groups

100 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

Ohio State University

Lead sponsor

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Collaborator