Florida State University receives $3 million grant from Department of Defense to fund PTSD research with virtual reality and TMS treatments
Florida – A groundbreaking clinical trial aimed at improving treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has received a significant boost, thanks to a generous four-year, $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The grant will fund research at Florida State University’s (FSU) College of Medicine, where a dedicated team of neuroscientists is working to explore the potential of combining virtual reality with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a treatment for PTSD.
This marks the second DoD grant for the FSU clinical neuroscience team, which is led by Dr. F. Andrew Kozel and co-directed by Kevin A. Johnson. The duo has been at the forefront of PTSD research, with the new study taking their work to the next level. This clinical trial will be the first of its kind to incorporate virtual reality mindfulness training in tandem with TMS, an innovative therapy that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain.
A New Approach to PTSD Treatment
The research team’s new clinical trial is designed to test whether integrating virtual reality could enhance the effects of TMS in treating PTSD. In the trial, participants with PTSD will first undergo two weeks of virtual reality mindfulness training twice a day, designed to help participants focus on their breathing and reduce stress. After this initial phase, if their symptoms have not resolved, participants will then enter a randomized protocol where they will either receive active or sham (fake) accelerated TMS treatments.
Dr. Kozel explains, “If at that point their symptoms have not resolved, then they go into a protocol where they are randomized to active versus sham — or real versus fake — of accelerated TMS.” The clinical trial’s randomized structure allows researchers to assess the effects of TMS more rigorously, ensuring that the results are scientifically valid.
In the accelerated TMS phase of the study, participants will undergo five treatments per day for five consecutive days, as opposed to the traditional protocol that spreads the treatments over six weeks. This approach, according to Dr. Kozel, could potentially lead to quicker, more profound results for individuals with PTSD. “Our goal is to be able to determine if accelerated TMS is an effective treatment for PTSD,” Kozel said. “This study will also give us important information as to which treatment parameter may be better and how long the effects last.”
Addressing the Long-Term Impact of PTSD Treatment
A key focus of the study is not just whether accelerated TMS is effective but also how long the treatment’s effects last. One of the major challenges with many existing PTSD treatments is that their positive effects tend to fade quickly. While TMS for depression has demonstrated prolonged benefits—sometimes lasting years—the researchers will have to test whether this same effect applies to PTSD, especially with accelerated TMS.
As part of the study’s structure, participants will be followed up at one, three, and six months after their treatments to track the durability of any improvements. The study’s findings could provide valuable insights into how best to administer TMS, and whether this method could offer a lasting solution for those suffering from PTSD.
PTSD Affects People in Many Ways
PTSD is a complex and multifaceted condition that can result from various traumatic experiences. As Dr. Kozel and Johnson explain, PTSD is not limited to veterans or those involved in combat situations. “PTSD comes in all shapes and sizes,” said Dr. Johnson, who is both a registered nurse and a neuroscientist. “It comes from military combat, auto accidents, violent crime, domestic abuse — there are many other examples.” This broad range of causes for PTSD underscores the importance of developing effective treatments that can benefit a wide array of people affected by the condition.
For those who decide to participate in the trial, the primary motivation is not monetary compensation, although volunteers who complete the study will receive a small stipend. “Part of it is they may feel they have no other treatment options,” Johnson said. “Not everyone is going to get better with research treatments. We’ll get a certain percentage that do, but even the ones that don’t get better know that we are learning something in the process, and they are contributing to helping the broader community.” This willingness to help others, despite the possibility of not receiving a cure, speaks to the dedication and resilience of those living with PTSD.
Getting Involved in Research
Individuals who are interested in participating in the PTSD research study at FSU Neuromodulation can find more information and fill out a confidential contact survey by visiting the lab’s website at med.fsu.edu/kozellab/fsu-neuromodulation.
This promising research offers hope for those suffering from PTSD, and with the support of the DoD grant, the FSU team is on track to make significant strides in the treatment of this challenging and often debilitating condition. By combining cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality and transcranial magnetic stimulation, they are exploring new avenues for healing and improving the lives of many individuals affected by PTSD.
