Intensive Multi-Couple Therapy for PTSD Versus Relationship Education in Military Couples

September 14, 2026 updated by: Steffany J Fredman, Ph.D., Penn State University

Randomized Controlled Trial of Intensive Multi-Couple Therapy for PTSD Versus Relationship Education in Military Couples

The goal of this clinical trial is to test an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (AIM-CBCT for PTSD) in an active military and veteran population. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does AIM-CBCT for PTSD improve PTSD symptoms?
  • Does AIM-CBCT for PTSD improve associated symptoms (e.g., depression), romantic partner distress, and couple relationship satisfaction?

Participants will participate in a two-day retreat in which they are taught and practice skills to decrease PTSD symptoms and enhance their relationships. Researchers will compare AIM-CBCT for PTSD to the Prevention and Relationship Education Program (PREP) to determine whether it is superior to an evidence-based relationship education curriculum that is also delivered in a two-day multi-couple group format.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

120

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

  • Name: Steffany J Fredman, Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: 781-879-9758
  • Email: sjf23@psu.edu

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229
        • Recruiting
        • University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Service member or veteran and a romantic partner willing to participate.
  • Couple is married or cohabiting for at least 3 months. Couple can be either different or same sex.
  • Service member/veteran diagnosis of PTSD as determined by the CAPS-5.
  • Each partner is at least 18 years old.
  • Both partners able to speak and read English.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Either partner reports current suicidal ideation severe enough to warrant immediate attention
  • Current homicide risk meriting crisis intervention for either partner
  • Current and severe alcohol misuse in either partner warranting immediate intervention
  • Symptoms of moderate to severe other substance use warranting immediate intervention
  • Recent (past month) manic episode or psychotic disorder symptoms in either partner
  • Other psychiatric disorders severe enough to warrant designation as the primary disorder
  • Evidence of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or other cognitive impairment in either partner
  • Couple is separated or have taken steps to dissolve their relationship
  • Either partner is currently participating in evidence-based treatment for PTSD (e.g., Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Present-Centered Therapy for PTSD, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD, or Structured Approach Therapy).
  • Evidence or admission of severe intimate aggression by either partner occurring within the past 6-months.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Abbreviated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD
AIM-CBCT for PTSD is an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD, an evidence-based treatment for PTSD delivered in a conjoint format.
Behavioral: Abbreviated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD
Approximately 12 hours of programming delivered over 2 consecutive days in a multi-couple group retreat format. Couples are provided with psychoeducation about PTSD and relationship functioning and are taught cognitive and behavioral skills to address the manifestation of PTSD in the couple relationship. Couples will also meet once individually with one of the group leaders 1-2 weeks before the retreat and once 1-2 weeks after the retreat.
Active Comparator: Prevention and Relationship Education Program
PREP is an evidence-based relationship education program delivered in a multi-couple group format.
Behavioral: Prevention and Relationship Education Program
Approximately 12 hours of programming delivered over 2 consecutive days in a multi-couple group retreat format.The content of PREP and workshop experiences focuses on helping couples communicate effectively, manage conflict without harming their relationship, preserve and act on commitment, improve relationship decision-making, increase understanding of differences between partners, and protect positive connections between partners. Approximately 12 hours of PREP content will be delivered over 2 consecutive days in a multi-couple group retreat format. Couples will also meet once individually with one of the group leaders 1-2 weeks before the retreat and will check in with a member of the study staff 1-2 weeks after the retreat.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5
Time Frame: baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Interviewer ratings of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Scores range from 0-80, with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD symptoms.
baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
Time Frame: baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Participant's self-report of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Scores range from 0-80, with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD symptoms.
baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
Time Frame: baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Self-reported depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptom severity.
baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-Screener
Time Frame: baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Self-reported general anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.
baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Dimensions of Anger Reactions-5
Time Frame: baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Self-reported anger symptoms. Scores range from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater anger.
baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Couples Satisfaction Index-32
Time Frame: baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up
Self-reported relationship satisfaction. Scores range from 0 to 161, with higher scores indicating higher relationship satisfaction.
baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Penn State University

Collaborators

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
University of Denver

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Steffany J Fredman, Ph.D., Penn State University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 15, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 14, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 14, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

September 21, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 14, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SITE00001245

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Subscribe