Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderNCT00183430
Prazosin for Treating Noncombat Trauma Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
A study testing Prazosin and Psychotherapy in people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, run by Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of prazosin in treating post-traumatic stress disorder caused by noncombat trauma in individuals taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Prazosin and Psychotherapy
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Oct 2003to Dec 2010
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis of PTSD, as derived from the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)
- Stabilized on any necessary medications for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry
- Score of greater than 4 on the CAPS Recurrent Distressing Dreams item (maximum score of 8)
- Score of greater than 4 on the CAPS Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep item (maximum score of 8)
- Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study
Who cannot join
- Any acute or significant chronic medical illness
- Any unstable medical condition
- Unstable angina, recent heart attack, history of congestive heart failure, pre-existing hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 110 mm Hg), or orthostatic hypotension
- Insulin-dependent diabetes
- Chronic kidney or liver failure
- Pancreatitis or gout
Show all 16Show fewer
- Meniere's disease, benign positional vertigo, or narcolepsy
- Allergy or previous adverse reaction to prazosin or other alpha-1 antagonist
- Currently taking another alpha-1 antagonist agent
- Pregnant
- DSM-IV diagnosis of cognitive disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorder
- Current delirium
- Active substance dependence disorder within 3 months of study entry
- Current substance use other than alcohol (no more than 2 drinks per day)
- Severe psychiatric instability or situational life crises, including evidence of suicidal or homicidal ideation
- Currently taking any other psychotropic medication (e.g., antidepressants, benzodiazepines, anti-convulsants, anti-psychotics, sedating antihistamines, sedatives/hypnotics (exclusionary medications will be discontinued and participants will undergo a 2-week washout period before baseline assessments)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington, 98108
About this study
Official title: Prazosin for Noncombat Trauma PTSD
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of prazosin in treating post-traumatic stress disorder caused by noncombat trauma in individuals taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Read the detailed description
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their past ordeal and often feel emotionally numb, especially with people to whom they were once close. PTSD was first recognized in male combat veterans. Today, however, the majority of people who have PTSD are young women who have experienced non combat-related trauma, such as sexual or physical assault or a life-threatening illness or accident. The disorder can be short-lived, but PTSD can also become chronic, with long lasting symptoms that are often treatment-resistant, possibly causing severe functional disability. Frequent trauma-related nightmares and other debilitating sleep disruptions are examples of chronic PTSD symptoms for which an effective treatment has not been developed. Sertraline and paroxetine, both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are the only drugs approved by the FDA for treating PTSD. Neither of them, however, has been effective in reducing PTSD-related sleep disruption. Studies have shown that the drug prazosin has been effective in reducing distressing trauma-related nightmares in older male combat veterans. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of prazosin in treating post-traumatic stress disorder caused by noncombat trauma in individuals already being treated with SSRIs.
Participants in this double-blind study will first undergo 12 weeks of treatment with psychotherapy and a standard SSRI. After 12 weeks, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either prazosin or placebo in addition to psychotherapy and standard SSRI treatment for a total of 8 weeks. Study visits will occur weekly for the first 12 weeks, and then at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 during the 8-week phase. Additionally, follow-up visits will be held 4 and 18 weeks post-intervention. PTSD symptoms, disorder severity, and frequency of sleep disturbances will be assessed.
- Being tested
- Prazosin, Placebo, Psychotherapy
- Keywords
- Prazosin, Sleep Disorders
- Medical subject headings
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Sleep Wake Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PrazosinDrug
Also called Minipress
Prazosin capsules 1 to 25 mg are taken orally twice per day in divided doses at 10 am and bedtime.
PlaceboDrug
Placebo capsules are taken orally twice per day at 10 am and bedtime.
PsychotherapyBehavioural
All participants will undergo psychotherapy during medication treatment period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Experimental | Participants will receive treatment with prazosin plus psychotherapy Receives: Drug: Prazosin; Behavioral: Psychotherapy |
| 2 | Placebo comparator | Participants will receive treatment with placebo plus psychotherapy Receives: Drug: Placebo; Behavioral: Psychotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Clinical Global Impression of Change
The Clinical Global Impression of Change is a 7-point scale that rates global change compared to baseline (1=markedly improved, 2=moderately improved, 3=minimally improved, 4=no change, 5=minimally worse, 6=moderately worse, 7=markedly worse). The Clinical Global Impression of Change is used to determine the impact of treatment effects on meaningful and distinct change in overall sense of well-being and functioning. This outcome measure evaluates change from Baseline to Week 8.
Measured: Baseline to Week 8
Change in Recurring Distressing Dreams and Difficulty Falling and Staying Asleep Items of the CAPS
Item B-2 "recurrent distressing dreams of the event" is a single item from teh Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). The rating consists of two parts: Frequency plus Intensity. Symptom frequency rated 0 to 4. Symptom intensity rated 0 to 4. Frequency plus Intensity ratings equal the total score. The total minimum score = zero. The total maximum score = 8. A higher score is worse; a lower score is better. This outcome measure evaluates the change in score from Baseline to Week 8.
Measured: Baseline to Week 8
Change in Sleep Assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is a self-report questionnaire assessing sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month time interval. A global score is obtained by summing the seven component subscales (total score range: 0-21). A score of 5 or less indicates good sleep quality. A score of more than 5 indicates poor sleep quality. Change is measured from Baseline to Week 8.
Measured: Baseline to Week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Sep 2005 (estimated)
- Study startOct 2003
- Primary completionMay 2009
- Study completionDec 2010
Why it stopped: Insufficient Enrollment
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Murray A. Raskind, MD, Principal investigator, University of Washington/Department of Veterans Affairs
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00183430
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- R01MH069867
- Other IDs
- R01MH069867, DATR AD-TS
- Status last verified
- Jun 2018
- First submitted
- 13 Sep 2005
- Last updated
- 14 Jun 2018
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Raskind MA, Peskind ER, Kanter ED, Petrie EC, Radant A, Thompson CE, Dobie DJ, Hoff D, Rein RJ, Straits-Troster K, Thomas RG, McFall MM. Reduction of nightmares and other PTSD symptoms in combat veterans by prazosin: a placebo-controlled study. Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Feb;160(2):371-3. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.160.2.371.
PubMed 12562588Raskind MA, Thompson C, Petrie EC, Dobie DJ, Rein RJ, Hoff DJ, McFall ME, Peskind ER. Prazosin reduces nightmares in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002 Jul;63(7):565-8. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v63n0705.
PubMed 12143911Raskind MA, Dobie DJ, Kanter ED, Petrie EC, Thompson CE, Peskind ER. The alpha1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin ameliorates combat trauma nightmares in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: a report of 4 cases. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000 Feb;61(2):129-33. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v61n0208.
PubMed 10732660Peskind ER, Bonner LT, Hoff DJ, Raskind MA. Prazosin reduces trauma-related nightmares in older men with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2003 Sep;16(3):165-71. doi: 10.1177/0891988703256050.
PubMed 12967060Taylor FB, Martin P, Thompson C, Williams J, Mellman TA, Gross C, Peskind ER, Raskind MA. Prazosin effects on objective sleep measures and clinical symptoms in civilian trauma posttraumatic stress disorder: a placebo-controlled study. Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Mar 15;63(6):629-32. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2007.07.001. Epub 2007 Sep 14.
PubMed 17868655Raskind MA, Peskind ER, Hoff DJ, Hart KL, Holmes HA, Warren D, Shofer J, O'Connell J, Taylor F, Gross C, Rohde K, McFall ME. A parallel group placebo controlled study of prazosin for trauma nightmares and sleep disturbance in combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Apr 15;61(8):928-34. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.06.032. Epub 2006 Oct 25.
PubMed 17069768
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Jun 2018. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prazosin for Noncombat Trauma PTSD
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00183430
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- R01MH069867
- Keywords
- Prazosin, Sleep Disorders
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- TerminatedReason stopped: Insufficient Enrollment
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical ResearchUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study start
- Oct 2003
- Primary completion
- May 2009 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2010 (actual)
- First posted
- 16 Sep 2005 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 27 Nov 2012
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of prazosin in treating post-traumatic stress disorder caused by noncombat trauma in individuals taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Detailed description
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their past ordeal and often feel emotionally numb, especially with people to whom they were once close. PTSD was first recognized in male combat veterans. Today, however, the majority of people who have PTSD are young women who have experienced non combat-related trauma, such as sexual or physical assault or a life-threatening illness or accident. The disorder can be short-lived, but PTSD can also become chronic, with long lasting symptoms that are often treatment-resistant, possibly causing severe functional disability. Frequent trauma-related nightmares and other debilitating sleep disruptions are examples of chronic PTSD symptoms for which an effective treatment has not been developed. Sertraline and paroxetine, both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are the only drugs approved by the FDA for treating PTSD. Neither of them, however, has been effective in reducing PTSD-related sleep disruption. Studies have shown that the drug prazosin has been effective in reducing distressing trauma-related nightmares in older male combat veterans. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of prazosin in treating post-traumatic stress disorder caused by noncombat trauma in individuals already being treated with SSRIs.
Participants in this double-blind study will first undergo 12 weeks of treatment with psychotherapy and a standard SSRI. After 12 weeks, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either prazosin or placebo in addition to psychotherapy and standard SSRI treatment for a total of 8 weeks. Study visits will occur weekly for the first 12 weeks, and then at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 during the 8-week phase. Additionally, follow-up visits will be held 4 and 18 weeks post-intervention. PTSD symptoms, disorder severity, and frequency of sleep disturbances will be assessed.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Experimental | Drug: Prazosin, Behavioral: PsychotherapyParticipants will receive treatment with prazosin plus psychotherapy |
| 2 | Placebo comparator | Drug: Placebo, Behavioral: PsychotherapyParticipants will receive treatment with placebo plus psychotherapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis of PTSD, as derived from the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)
- Stabilized on any necessary medications for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry
- Score of greater than 4 on the CAPS Recurrent Distressing Dreams item (maximum score of 8)
- Score of greater than 4 on the CAPS Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep item (maximum score of 8)
- Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study
Key exclusion criteria (16 listed)
- Any acute or significant chronic medical illness
- Any unstable medical condition
- Unstable angina, recent heart attack, history of congestive heart failure, pre-existing hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 110 mm Hg), or orthostatic hypotension
- Insulin-dependent diabetes
- Chronic kidney or liver failure
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PrazosinAlso: MinipressPrazosin capsules 1 to 25 mg are taken orally twice per day in divided doses at 10 am and bedtime. | Drug | 1 |
| PlaceboPlacebo capsules are taken orally twice per day at 10 am and bedtime. | Drug | 2 |
| PsychotherapyAll participants will undergo psychotherapy during medication treatment period. | Behavioural | 1, 2 |
Primary outcome
Clinical Global Impression of Change
Time frame: Baseline to Week 8
The Clinical Global Impression of Change is a 7-point scale that rates global change compared to baseline (1=markedly improved, 2=moderately improved, 3=minimally improved, 4=no change, 5=minimally worse, 6=moderately worse, 7=markedly worse). The Clinical Global Impression of Change is used to determine the impact of treatment effects on meaningful and distinct change in overall sense of well-being and functioning. This outcome measure evaluates change from Baseline to Week 8.
Change in Recurring Distressing Dreams and Difficulty Falling and Staying Asleep Items of the CAPS
Time frame: Baseline to Week 8
Item B-2 "recurrent distressing dreams of the event" is a single item from teh Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). The rating consists of two parts: Frequency plus Intensity. Symptom frequency rated 0 to 4. Symptom intensity rated 0 to 4. Frequency plus Intensity ratings equal the total score. The total minimum score = zero. The total maximum score = 8. A higher score is worse; a lower score is better. This outcome measure evaluates the change in score from Baseline to Week 8.
Change in Sleep Assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Time frame: Baseline to Week 8
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is a self-report questionnaire assessing sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month time interval. A global score is obtained by summing the seven component subscales (total score range: 0-21). A score of 5 or less indicates good sleep quality. A score of more than 5 indicates poor sleep quality. Change is measured from Baseline to Week 8.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Jun 2018.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 12562588Raskind MA, Peskind ER, Kanter ED, Petrie EC, Radant A, Thompson CE, Dobie DJ, Hoff D, Rein RJ, Straits-Troster K, Thomas RG, McFall MM. Reduction of nightmares and other PTSD symptoms in combat veterans by prazosin: a placebo-controlled study. Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Feb;160(2):371-3. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.160.2.371.
- Background: PubMed 12143911Raskind MA, Thompson C, Petrie EC, Dobie DJ, Rein RJ, Hoff DJ, McFall ME, Peskind ER. Prazosin reduces nightmares in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002 Jul;63(7):565-8. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v63n0705.
- Background: PubMed 10732660Raskind MA, Dobie DJ, Kanter ED, Petrie EC, Thompson CE, Peskind ER. The alpha1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin ameliorates combat trauma nightmares in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: a report of 4 cases. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000 Feb;61(2):129-33. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v61n0208.
- Background: PubMed 12967060Peskind ER, Bonner LT, Hoff DJ, Raskind MA. Prazosin reduces trauma-related nightmares in older men with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2003 Sep;16(3):165-71. doi: 10.1177/0891988703256050.
- Background: PubMed 17868655Taylor FB, Martin P, Thompson C, Williams J, Mellman TA, Gross C, Peskind ER, Raskind MA. Prazosin effects on objective sleep measures and clinical symptoms in civilian trauma posttraumatic stress disorder: a placebo-controlled study. Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Mar 15;63(6):629-32. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2007.07.001. Epub 2007 Sep 14.
- Background: PubMed 17069768Raskind MA, Peskind ER, Hoff DJ, Hart KL, Holmes HA, Warren D, Shofer J, O'Connell J, Taylor F, Gross C, Rohde K, McFall ME. A parallel group placebo controlled study of prazosin for trauma nightmares and sleep disturbance in combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Apr 15;61(8):928-34. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.06.032. Epub 2006 Oct 25.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Murray A. Raskind, MD principal investigator
University of Washington/Department of Veterans Affairs
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Prazosin and Psychotherapy in people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, run by Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jun 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 27 Nov 2012). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Clinical Global Impression of Change (time frame: Baseline to Week 8). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00183430, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Jun 2018; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.