Maximizing the utility of a single site randomized controlled psychotherapy trial

Principal results and conclusions: The trial is an ongoing RCT comparing two psychotherapies for the treatment of concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) with a sample of treatment seeking veterans. Through collaboration with a team of investigators with independently-funded but affiliated grants, measures of select sleep, neurobiological, and genetic biomarkers were integrated into this single site RCT. This model has allowed us to pose research questions regarding the role of biological mechanisms, maximize the utility of recruitment, and be efficient in maximizing knowledge to be gained in a way that would not be possible solely on the funding of a single site RCT. Challenges of this model include high participant burden in regard to assessment and complicated coordinating procedures among studies. Strategies to address these challenges are described.