An interventional study of Deep Brain Reorienting and Treatment as Usual (TAU) in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Posttraumatic Stress Symptom, sponsored by University of Alberta. Recruiting at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-05.
Sponsored by University of Alberta · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Among 125 studies in Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic with a site in Canada — 32 open to participants now, 40 under way, 2 of them phase 3. Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic · Canada.
Among the 125 studies in Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic with a site in Canada, this one is the 58th largest by planned enrollment of the 111 interventional ones that give a count, is one of 15 that started in 2026, is one of 82 with no phase, reaches primary completion later than 27 of the 39 other live ones, and was the 124th registered.
2,682 studies on the registry are indexed under Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; 601 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 50 is below the median of 69 across 2,196 interventional studies indexed under Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic.
Browse Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic studies →32 of the 125 studies in Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic with a site in Canada are open now.
A study can be open while its sites in Canada have not opened yet or have stopped. Only those recruiting at a site in Canada →
Of the 417 Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic studies recruiting now, 186 (45%) set no upper age limit and 205 (49%) stop at 75 or younger; 63 take children under 18; 89 take healthy volunteers.
This study: 18 Years to 65 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.
The full table on the hub →125 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
A study in two phases is counted once above. Listed by phase, each with its combined phases: Phase 1 3 · Phase 2 22 · Phase 3 8 · Phase 4 2
First in 2007; this study’s year is marked. 15 started in 2026.
Median enrollment 54 across the 111 interventional studies, 303 across the 14 observational. Of the 65 that completed or were terminated, 6 (9%) have results posted.
15 of 125 have an industry lead sponsor. The 10 most frequent:
University of Alberta is the lead sponsor of 823 studies on the registry; 169 are open to participants now.
Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 3 (60%) have results posted.
University of Alberta has 1 study filed under Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic — fewer than ten, so there is no comparison to draw.
7 of the studies in Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic with a site in Canada that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT07137845Université de SherbrookeVirtual Reality and Cranial Nerve Non-invasive Neuromodulation to Improve Quality of Life for Veterans | 2026-12 |
| NCT07309302Université du Québec a MontréalPsychosocial Factors and Efficacy of Remote Cognitive Remediation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | 2026-12 |
| NCT07146633Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthEfficacy of an EMDR App for PTSD and SUD | 2027-01-30 |
| NCT06044675RemedyMDMA-Assisted CBCT for PTSD vs CBCT RCT | 2027-03-31 |
| NCT06335043London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph'sPersonalized Pharmacotherapy Using Pharmacogenetics in Veterans | 2027-04-25 |
Among the 125 studies in Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic with a site in Canada, from their registry updates:
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) works to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in military veterans. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will compare waitlist to see if DBR works to treat PTSD.
Participants will:
The criteria were revised on the registry on Oct 5, 2026. See what changed
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Stream 1: Military Veterans receiving the DBR Intervention:
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Other considerations:
Participants will be asked not to start any new PTSD treatments (medications or psychotherapy) 4 weeks prior to study enrollment and until study participation is complete.
If already taking psychiatric medications, doses must be stable for at least 4 weeks prior to enrolling in the study, and remain stable until study completion.
Participants in DBR stream must be able and willing to pause other trauma-focused psychotherapies (e.g., CPT, EMDR, exposure therapy) while receiving DBR in the study. Non-trauma focused therapies (e.g. CBT) or supportive talk with a therapist may continue.
We are currently actively recruiting participants for Stream 1 only, exclusively military veterans.
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Military veterans who are randomized to receive eight weekly sessions of Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR).
Behavioral: Deep Brain Reorienting
Military veterans are randomized to continue treatment as usual during an eight-week waiting period. Following completion of the waitlist and follow-up assessments, eligible participants may be offered DBR.
Behavioral: Treatment as Usual (TAU)
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a neuroscientifically informed psychotherapy targeting the midbrain-brainstem sequence of orienting tension, shock, and affective response encoded during traumatic events. DBR interventions guide participants through these subcortically mediated survival-oriented responses to facilitate integration and resolution. In contrast to other guideline-based trauma-focused psychotherapies, it does not require verbal exploration of traumatic memories. Instead, it focuses on the response to trauma reminders at the level of the brainstem orienting response and Innate Alarm System. DBR will be administered by certified, experienced trauma clinicians, such as psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Each DBR session will include the following: * Identification of orienting tension * Attunement to shock activation * Integration of affective sequences * Resolution of trauma-encoded brainstem orientation patterns
This intervention means that participants will receive 8 weeks of treatment as usual without DBR or other trauma-focused therapy.
Change From Initial Assessment in PTSD Symptom Severity at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the CAPS-5
The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5) is a clinician-rated measure of PTSD symptom severity. Each item is rated from 0 (absent) to 4 (extreme/incapacitating) and summed to produce a total score ranging from 0 to 80. Higher scores indicate more severe PTSD symptoms.
Time frame: From initial assessment to post-treatment at 8 weeks and the 3-month follow-up
Change From Baseline in PTSD Symptom Severity at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the PCL-5
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a self-reported measure of PTSD symptom severity. Each item is rated from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). The total score ranges from 0 to 80, with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD symptoms.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment at 8 weeks and the 3-month follow-up
Themes Related to Mental Health Professionals' Experiences of Learning Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), as Identified Through Qualitative Interviews
Mental health professionals' experiences of learning DBR will be explored through qualitative interviews. This interview will take about 30 to 60 minutes. No numerical score will be generated.
Time frame: Post DBR training
Change from Baseline in Dissociation Symptoms at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the DES
The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) is a self-report scale for dissociative symptoms. Total scores range from 0 (never) to 100 (always). Higher scores indicate more frequent dissociative symptoms.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment at 8 weeks, and the 3-month follow-up
Change From Initial Assessment in Depression Symptom Severity at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the BDI-II
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is a self-report scale measuring depression symptom severity. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Time frame: From initial assessment to post-treatment at 8 weeks and the 3-month follow-up
Change From Baseline in Trauma-related Shame at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the TRSI
The Trauma-related Shame Inventory (TRSI) is a 24-item self-report questionnaire measuring shame related to traumatic experiences. Each item is scored from 0 (not true of me) to 3 (completely true of me). Total scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating greater trauma-related shame.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment at 8 weeks and the 3-month follow-up
Change From Baseline in Interoceptive Awareness at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the MAIA-Version 2
The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2) is a 37-item self-report questionnaire measuring awareness of internal bodily sensations. Each item is scored from 0 (never) to 5 (always), with higher scores indicating greater interoceptive awareness.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment at 8 weeks and the 3-month follow-up
Change From Baseline in Physical Symptoms at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the PSS
The McFarlane's Physical Symptoms Questionnaire (PSS) is a self-report questionnaire that measures physical symptoms experienced in the past month. Each symptom is rated from 0 (none) to 3 (severe), with higher scores indicating more severe physical symptoms.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment at 8 weeks and the 3-month follow-up
Change From Baseline in Emotion Regulation at 8 Weeks and 3-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by the DERS-16
The Brief Version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16) is a self-report questionnaire measuring difficulties with emotion regulation. Each item is scored from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always). Total scores range from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater difficulty regulating emotions.
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment at 8 weeks and the 3-month follow-up
Plan to share: Yes — De-identified participant data (IPD) in this study will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, subject to applicable research ethics, institutional, privacy, and data-sharing requirements. Requests will be considered based on the scientific merit and purpose of the proposed use. Data will only be shared where permitted by participant consent and applicable approvals, and a data-sharing agreement may be required. Supporting study documents, such as the study protocol and statistical analysis plan, may also be made available upon reasonable request.
Start is estimated for Sep 2026; primary completion for Jan 2028, 16 months later.
Of 1,064 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, half reached primary completion within 35 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 17 and three quarters within 53. This study's planned 16 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 1,092 studies reached it within 34 months; a quarter within 17 and three quarters within 53.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic →