Posttraumatic Stress DisorderNCT06788678
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based Moral Elevation Intervention for Veterans With PTSD
A study testing MOVED in people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are many challenges to successful trauma recovery for Veterans including difficulties starting and completing these treatments and gaps in fully addressing additional important treatment targets including lower… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- What is being tested?
- MOVED
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 250 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 10 Aug 2026to 30 Sep 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Enrolled in a VISN 17 health care system
- English-speaking and able to provide written informed consent
- Willingness to complete study procedures and be randomized
- Internet access and an electronic device to complete the web-based sessions
- Current diagnosis of PTSD based on the CAPS-5
- History of PTSD diagnosis for at least 1 year
Who cannot join
- History of severe traumatic brain injury indicated by medical record review and the Ohio State Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID)
- Current psychosis or mania as indicated by medical record review and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
- Current suicide risk based on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
- Currently enrolled and actively participating in a trauma-focused treatment including:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Prolonged Exposure
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX
Temple, Texas, 76504-7451
Adam P McGuire, PhD, (254) 297-5173, Adam.McGuire@va.gov
Adam P. McGuire, PhD
About this study
Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are many challenges to successful trauma recovery for Veterans including difficulties starting and completing these treatments and gaps in fully addressing additional important treatment targets including lower social functioning and quality of life. Alternative, stand-alone treatment options that address a range of outcomes and can be easily accessed are needed to expand the reach of PTSD treatment to Veterans. One way to address this need is with a positive psychology intervention called MOVED, which has shown promise in a prior pilot study. MOVED is a web-based, self-guided intervention (8 sessions, 4 weeks) that uses moral elevation-feeling inspired by others' virtuous actions. This clinical trial will test if MOVED leads to decreased PTSD symptoms and increased social functioning and quality of life compared to a generic supportive treatment that does not focus on moral elevation. Results will help determine if MOVED is a useful alternative approach to target trauma recovery among Veterans with PTSD.
Read the detailed description
Poor treatment engagement and retention with evidence-based practices (EBPs) are significant problems for Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, Veterans with PTSD also face significant issues with impaired social functioning and diminished quality of life; however, research suggests EBPs may not full address these other important treatment targets despite their ability to reduce PTSD symptoms. These limitations showcase how difficult it is to successfully treat PTSD and highlight the need for novel, stand-alone approaches as alternatives to current treatments that can further facilitate trauma recovery. Accessible and easily disseminated treatments are needed to target ongoing concerns for Veterans including PTSD symptoms, lower QOL, and poor social functioning. One approach that is well-suited to target these issues is a positive psychology-based intervention that focuses on eliciting moral elevation and its benefits. Moral elevation is a positive, emotional state of feeling inspired or moved by witnessing others' virtuous actions, which leads to greater social engagement and self-improvement motives. Moral Elevation Online Intervention for Veterans Experiencing Distress (MOVED) was previously developed as a web-based, self-guided intervention (8 sessions; 4 weeks) and piloted with a sample of Veterans experiencing significant PTSD symptoms and moral injury-related distress. Results from the VA funded pilot trial suggested MOVED was highly feasible and acceptable by Veterans, it demonstrated high levels of treatment engagement, and Veterans reported positive treatment outcomes including large decreases in PTSD symptoms and medium increases in quality of life. Given the promising findings from the MOVED pilot trial, the goal of this proposed study is to proceed with the next phase of treatment development for MOVED by conducting a powered efficacy trial with a sample of Veterans diagnosed with PTSD for at least one year. Following recent adaptations to MOVED that were informed by Veteran feedback from the pilot trial and with input from key stakeholders (researchers, clinicians, and Veterans with PTSD), a refined version of MOVED will be examined with a randomized controlled trial (RCT). This RCT will test the efficacy of MOVED compared to a supportive care control treatment in decreasing PTSD symptom severity, increasing social functioning, and increasing quality of life. The targeted sample will include 250 Veterans who have a PTSD diagnosis for at least one year. Eligible participants will be randomized to the MOVED condition or a supportive care control condition. Both interventions will be self-guided, web-based, and will include 8 sessions lasting 4 weeks. The supportive care control treatment will be a present-centered, nondirective intervention that aims to control for the nonspecific therapeutic effects of supportive care, whereas MOVED will focus on eliciting experiences of moral elevation, guided reflection of those experiences, and facilitating the pursuit of weekly behavioral goals related to experiences of elevation. All participants in both conditions will complete clinician-administered interviews and self-report measures to assess outcomes at baseline, posttreatment, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up. Additionally, potential mechanisms of action on treatment outcomes will be assessed at each session including experiences of moral elevation and treatment adherence. Results from this study will indicate whether MOVED is a viable treatment that can reduce PTSD symptoms, boost quality of life, and enhance social functioning; thus, expanding the number of treatment options available for PTSD care.
- Conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Being tested
- MOVED, Supportive Care Control
- Keywords
- PTSD, Web-Based Intervention, Veterans, Randomized Controlled Trial, Moral Elevation
- Medical subject headings
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MOVEDBehavioural
Also called Moral Elevation Online Intervention for Veterans Experiencing Distress
MOVED includes 8 self-guided, web-based sessions administered over 4 weeks. Web-based sessions include 3 core components: (1) elicit moral elevation, (2) engage in reflection about moral elevation response, and (3) set a behavioral goal that is inspired by the moral elevation exercise.
Supportive Care ControlOther
A present-centered, nondirective intervention that aims to control for the nonspecific therapeutic effects of supportive care. In this case, the effects of engaging in regular web-based sessions that convey information about PTSD symptoms. Sessions will include psychoeducation materials about PTSD symptoms, functioning, and resources for dealing with related stressors. Key components of MOVED will be strictly excluded.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| MOVED | Experimental | Moral Elevation Online Intervention for Veterans Experiencing Distress. Receives: Behavioral: MOVED |
| Supportive Care Control | Active comparator | Present-centered, nondirective intervention Receives: Other: Supportive Care Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
The CAPS-5 is a 30-item structured interview that will be used to assess clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity (range = 0-80).
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF)
The WHOQOL-BREF is a 26-item self-report measure that will be used to assess overall quality of life with 4 domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment). Subscales scores are computed by summing all items for each subscale, then all scores are transformed to a range of 0-100. A higher score signifies higher or better quality of life.
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0)
The WHODAS 2.0 is a self-report measures of functioning. Two socially-oriented subscales comprised of 13 items total will be used to assess social functioning across the Getting Along and Participation domains. Higher scores indicate greater functioning.
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Secondary outcomes (5)
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to assess PTSD symptom severity (range 0 = 80). Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Moral Injury and Distress Scale (MIDS)
The MIDS is a 24-item self report measure that will be used to assess moral injury distress (range = 0-72). Higher scores indicate greater distress.
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Engagement with Beauty Scale (EBS) - Moral Beauty Subscale
The EBS is a self-report measure that will be used to assess engagement with moral beauty or trait-level moral elevation. The moral beauty subscale includes 7 items (range = 6-42). Higher scores indicate greater engagement with moral beauty.
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Purpose in Life - Short Form (PIL-SF)
The PIL-SF is a 4-item self-report measure that will be used to assess perceived meaning and purpose in life (range = 4-28). Higher scores indicate greater purpose in life.
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI)
The PTGI is a 21-item self-report measure that will be used to assess posttraumatic growth (range = 0-105). Higher scores indicate greater posttraumatic growth.
Measured: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jan 2025
- Study start10 Aug 2026
- Primary completion30 Jun 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Posttraumatic Stress DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by VA Office of Research and DevelopmentThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants are randomized to either the MOVED condition (target intervention) or a Supportive Care Control (SCC) condition. Both conditions are accessed through an online portal. The MOVED condition includes the moral elevation treatment with intervention content and goal setting activities. The SCC condition is a present-centered, nondirective interaction that aims to control for the nonspecific therapeutic effects of engaging in regular web-based session. Specifically, it includes psychoeducation materials about PTSD symptoms, functioning, and resources for related stressors. Key intervention components of MOVED (e.g., moral elevation exercises and goal-setting) will be excluded from SCC.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 250 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Sponsor type
- US federal agency
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Adam P. McGuire, PhD, Principal investigator, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06788678
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- D5081-R
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jan 2025
- Last updated
- 19 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: A de-identified, anonymized dataset will be created and shared pursuant to a Data Use Agreement (DUA).
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based Moral Elevation Intervention for Veterans With PTSD
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06788678
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- D5081-R
- Conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Keywords
- PTSD, Web-Based Intervention, Veterans, Randomized Controlled Trial, Moral Elevation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 250 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and DevelopmentUS federal agency
- Study start
- 10 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are many challenges to successful trauma recovery for Veterans including difficulties starting and completing these treatments and gaps in fully addressing additional important treatment targets including lower social functioning and quality of life. Alternative, stand-alone treatment options that address a range of outcomes and can be easily accessed are needed to expand the reach of PTSD treatment to Veterans. One way to address this need is with a positive psychology intervention called MOVED, which has shown promise in a prior pilot study. MOVED is a web-based, self-guided intervention (8 sessions, 4 weeks) that uses moral elevation-feeling inspired by others' virtuous actions. This clinical trial will test if MOVED leads to decreased PTSD symptoms and increased social functioning and quality of life compared to a generic supportive treatment that does not focus on moral elevation. Results will help determine if MOVED is a useful alternative approach to target trauma recovery among Veterans with PTSD.
Detailed description
Poor treatment engagement and retention with evidence-based practices (EBPs) are significant problems for Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, Veterans with PTSD also face significant issues with impaired social functioning and diminished quality of life; however, research suggests EBPs may not full address these other important treatment targets despite their ability to reduce PTSD symptoms. These limitations showcase how difficult it is to successfully treat PTSD and highlight the need for novel, stand-alone approaches as alternatives to current treatments that can further facilitate trauma recovery. Accessible and easily disseminated treatments are needed to target ongoing concerns for Veterans including PTSD symptoms, lower QOL, and poor social functioning. One approach that is well-suited to target these issues is a positive psychology-based intervention that focuses on eliciting moral elevation and its benefits. Moral elevation is a positive, emotional state of feeling inspired or moved by witnessing others' virtuous actions, which leads to greater social engagement and self-improvement motives. Moral Elevation Online Intervention for Veterans Experiencing Distress (MOVED) was previously developed as a web-based, self-guided intervention (8 sessions; 4 weeks) and piloted with a sample of Veterans experiencing significant PTSD symptoms and moral injury-related distress. Results from the VA funded pilot trial suggested MOVED was highly feasible and acceptable by Veterans, it demonstrated high levels of treatment engagement, and Veterans reported positive treatment outcomes including large decreases in PTSD symptoms and medium increases in quality of life. Given the promising findings from the MOVED pilot trial, the goal of this proposed study is to proceed with the next phase of treatment development for MOVED by conducting a powered efficacy trial with a sample of Veterans diagnosed with PTSD for at least one year. Following recent adaptations to MOVED that were informed by Veteran feedback from the pilot trial and with input from key stakeholders (researchers, clinicians, and Veterans with PTSD), a refined version of MOVED will be examined with a randomized controlled trial (RCT). This RCT will test the efficacy of MOVED compared to a supportive care control treatment in decreasing PTSD symptom severity, increasing social functioning, and increasing quality of life. The targeted sample will include 250 Veterans who have a PTSD diagnosis for at least one year. Eligible participants will be randomized to the MOVED condition or a supportive care control condition. Both interventions will be self-guided, web-based, and will include 8 sessions lasting 4 weeks. The supportive care control treatment will be a present-centered, nondirective intervention that aims to control for the nonspecific therapeutic effects of supportive care, whereas MOVED will focus on eliciting experiences of moral elevation, guided reflection of those experiences, and facilitating the pursuit of weekly behavioral goals related to experiences of elevation. All participants in both conditions will complete clinician-administered interviews and self-report measures to assess outcomes at baseline, posttreatment, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up. Additionally, potential mechanisms of action on treatment outcomes will be assessed at each session including experiences of moral elevation and treatment adherence. Results from this study will indicate whether MOVED is a viable treatment that can reduce PTSD symptoms, boost quality of life, and enhance social functioning; thus, expanding the number of treatment options available for PTSD care.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are randomized to either the MOVED condition (target intervention) or a Supportive Care Control (SCC) condition. Both conditions are accessed through an online portal. The MOVED condition includes the moral elevation treatment with intervention content and goal setting activities. The SCC condition is a present-centered, nondirective interaction that aims to control for the nonspecific therapeutic effects of engaging in regular web-based session. Specifically, it includes psychoeducation materials about PTSD symptoms, functioning, and resources for related stressors. Key intervention components of MOVED (e.g., moral elevation exercises and goal-setting) will be excluded from SCC.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| MOVED | Experimental | Behavioral: MOVEDMoral Elevation Online Intervention for Veterans Experiencing Distress. |
| Supportive Care Control | Active comparator | Other: Supportive Care ControlPresent-centered, nondirective intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Enrolled in a VISN 17 health care system
- English-speaking and able to provide written informed consent
- Willingness to complete study procedures and be randomized
- Internet access and an electronic device to complete the web-based sessions
- Current diagnosis of PTSD based on the CAPS-5
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- History of severe traumatic brain injury indicated by medical record review and the Ohio State Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID)
- Current psychosis or mania as indicated by medical record review and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
- Current suicide risk based on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
- Currently enrolled and actively participating in a trauma-focused treatment including:
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MOVEDAlso: Moral Elevation Online Intervention for Veterans Experiencing DistressMOVED includes 8 self-guided, web-based sessions administered over 4 weeks. Web-based sessions include 3 core components: (1) elicit moral elevation, (2) engage in reflection about moral elevation response, and (3) set a behavioral goal that is inspired by the moral elevation exercise. | Behavioural | MOVED |
| Supportive Care ControlA present-centered, nondirective intervention that aims to control for the nonspecific therapeutic effects of supportive care. In this case, the effects of engaging in regular web-based sessions that convey information about PTSD symptoms. Sessions will include psychoeducation materials about PTSD symptoms, functioning, and resources for dealing with related stressors. Key components of MOVED will be strictly excluded. | Other | Supportive Care Control |
Primary outcome
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
The CAPS-5 is a 30-item structured interview that will be used to assess clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity (range = 0-80).
World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF)
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
The WHOQOL-BREF is a 26-item self-report measure that will be used to assess overall quality of life with 4 domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment). Subscales scores are computed by summing all items for each subscale, then all scores are transformed to a range of 0-100. A higher score signifies higher or better quality of life.
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0)
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
The WHODAS 2.0 is a self-report measures of functioning. Two socially-oriented subscales comprised of 13 items total will be used to assess social functioning across the Getting Along and Participation domains. Higher scores indicate greater functioning.
5 secondary outcomes
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Moral Injury and Distress Scale (MIDS)
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Engagement with Beauty Scale (EBS) - Moral Beauty Subscale
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Purpose in Life - Short Form (PIL-SF)
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI)
Time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. A de-identified, anonymized dataset will be created and shared pursuant to a Data Use Agreement (DUA).
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Adam P. McGuire, PhD principal investigator
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing MOVED in people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Adam P McGuire, PhD ((254) 297-5173, Adam.McGuire@va.gov), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) (time frame: Follow-up assessments at posttreatment, 3-months, and 6-months.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Aug 2026.