Home › Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder › NCT06127342

Exercise and Emotional Learning in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Who can join

Ages 18 to 64 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults with PTSD related to interpersonal violence

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active or recent (within the last 3 months) severe substance use disorder(s)
* Active or recent (within the last 3 months) suicidal, psychotic, or manic symptoms/ episodes
* Significant developmental disabilities
* Current daily benzodiazepine or stimulant use with inability to abstain for study sessions
* Recent changes in psychiatric medication or trauma focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (past 4-weeks)
* Medical condition(s) that prohibit exercise
* History of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness \> 30 mins
* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindication(s)
* Positive pregnancy test
* History of seizure disorder
* Spontaneous seizure(s) within the last 3 months

About the study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test how exercise affects learning and memory processes relevant to the treatment of PTSD. Participants will complete a baseline intake followed by two experimental sessions. During the first experimental session, participants will undergo an MRI session of imaginal exposure to traumatic memory cues followed by 30-minutes of moderate intensity exercise or low intensity exercise. Participants will complete a second session of imaginal exposure with MRI 24 hours later.

What is being tested

• Moderate Intensity Exercise (behavioral)
• Low Intensity Exercise (behavioral)

Sponsor: Christal L Badour · Participants: 100 · Started: May 13, 2024

Contact the study team

• Christal G Badour, PhD · Phone: 859-323-3817

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06127342

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 29, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.