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Recruiting NCT05414708

NCT05414708 Art Therapy and Emotional Well Being in Military Populations With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05414708
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Condition PTSD
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 40 participants
Start Date 2022-02-01
Primary Completion 2026-12

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 64 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Art Therapy

Eligibility Fast-Check

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What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 40 participants in total. It began in 2022-02-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-12.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

Art therapy is used across the Military Health System for treatment of posttraumatic symptoms, but there is limited research on how art therapy is able to restore emotional expression and regulation in service members. This research hopes to learn about the effects of art therapy on emotional expression and regulation in service members as well as the neurological systems at work. If a participant chooses to be in this study, he or she will attend eleven sessions over a period of six to eight months. The first session will be an interview and self-assessment questionnaires to collect information on a variety of symptoms, experiences, and personality traits, and an MRI scan. During the MRI scan, participants will be asked to perform a task where they will be shown a series of neutral and negative images. The following eight sessions will be one-hour art therapy sessions with a certified art therapist. The tenth session will consist of the same self-assessment questionnaires and another MRI scan. The final session will consist of some of the same questionnaires from the tenth visit, as well as a qualitative interview done virtually three months after the tenth visit.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * DEERS Eligible * Active Duty or Veteran separated within the past 10 years * Significant posttraumatic stress symptoms (score of \>/=31 on the PCL-5) Exclusion Criteria: * History of moderate, severe, or penetrating brain injury * History of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or active suicidal or homicidal ideation * History of multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, or Alzheimer's disease * History of stroke or myocardial infarction * History of brain tumor * History of seizures * Contradictions for MRI (for example, participants will be excluded for pregnancy, metal implants or suspected shrapnel, aneurysm/intracranial clips, cardiac pacemakers or implanted programmable devices or pumps) * Unable to provide informed consent * History of previous exposure to art therapy * Active substance use disorder

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Chandler Rhodes, Ph.D.

✉ chandler.s.rhodes.civ@health.mil

📞 301-400-3638

Principal Investigator

Chandler Rhodes, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

WRNMMC

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05414708 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 64 Years, studying PTSD. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT05414708 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05414708 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at chandler.s.rhodes.civ@health.mil for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05414708 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Bethesda, United States, Fort Belvoir, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05414708 clinical trial?

NCT05414708 is sponsored by Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The principal investigator is Chandler Rhodes, PhD at WRNMMC. The trial plans to enroll 40 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology