Meditation in Veterans With PTSD and Mild TBI
Stress DisordersPost-Traumatic2 moreThe goal of this study is to learn more about how Inner Resources for Veterans (IRV), a mindfulness and mantra therapy, helps Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). PTSD is a disorder that occurs after exposure to one or more emotionally traumatic experiences. People with PTSD may experience anxiety, pay extra attention to their surroundings, involuntarily remember their traumatic experiences, and/or want to avoid situations where these symptoms are increased. MTBI may result from being in a blast explosion, with pressure from the blast potentially disrupting the brain's structure and function. At this time, it is not well known how PTSD and mTBI may affect each other. In this study, the investigators will be looking at the behavioral and neurological changes (changes in the brain) and the reductions in PTSD symptoms that may come from participating in this treatment. The investigators are interested in determining if treatment does reverse changes in the brain caused by PTSD and mTBI. To help the investigators understand changes in how the brain functions, the participants will complete a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan before and after either IRV or an active control group. Both conditions are 9-session, 12-week interventions. Participation will help the investigators understand how therapy for PTSD and mTBI impacts the brain's response to emotions and therapeutic processes.
Clinical Effectiveness Trial of In-Home Cognitive Processing Therapy for Combat-Related PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderPTSDThe primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy (cognitive only version; CPT-C) delivered using two different formats in the home setting for the treatment of combat-related PTSD as compared to conventional face-to-face CPT-C delivered in a mental health clinic. The study will include two different formats of in-home therapy: face-to-face in-home CPT-C and tele-behavioral health in-home CPT-C.
A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Yoga Program for Trauma Symptoms
Stress DisordersPost-TraumaticThe purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and yoga program for improving posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and sleep quality in people who have experienced a traumatic event and are reporting trauma symptoms.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and the Microbiome
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderIrritable Bowel SyndromeThis proposed study aims to determine whether decreasing stress levels in persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to a change in the intestinal microbiota, assessed 8 weeks after enrollment.
Mental Health and Aggression in Congolese Ex-combatants
Appetitive AggressionPosttraumatic Stress DisorderThe purpose of this study is examine, whether a treatment approach, which is specifically tailored for perpetrators who have participated in violence (a variant of Narrative Exposure Therapy) is effective in the reduction of instrumental aggression and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Randomized Control Trial of Group Intervention With Former War-affected Boys in the Democratic Republic...
Post-traumatic Stress DisorderDepression1 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate, in a randomised control trial (RCT), the effectiveness of group-based, trauma-focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT) in reducing psychological distress in former child soldiers and other war-affected children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Prazosin for Alcohol Dependence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Alcohol AbusePosttraumatic Stress DisorderThe purpose of this study is to determine whether the drug prazosin is effective for the treatment of alcohol dependency and symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Perioperative Propranolol in Patients With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic Stress DisorderUnderstanding what treatments may facilitate perioperative care of Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is of great importance to the U.S. health care system. Patients with PTSD are characterized by elevated central nervous system catecholamine concentrations and exaggerated and prolonged adrenergic responses to stress stimuli. At present, there are no data on the effects of perioperative beta blocker therapy in patients with PTSD, despite the rising significance of PTSD in Veteran populations. This prospective, double-blind study proposes to randomize 150 Veterans with PTSD scheduled for orthopedic, thoracic or vascular surgery at the San Francisco VA Medical Center to either a 14-day course of propranolol or placebo. This study will then follow these Veterans for a one-year period to evaluate the effects of the intervention on Veterans' surgical outcomes. The investigators hypothesize that patients with PTSD randomized to the propranolol group will demonstrate a reduced incidence of perioperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Cognitive Training for Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Major Depressive DisorderDepression4 moreThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a computerized cognitive training program (an attention and memory exercise performed on a computer) on thinking and memory in individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, and to begin to test whether this training affects symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Remote Exercise for Learning Anger and Excitation Management
AngerStress Disorders1 moreThe immediate objective of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility of Remote Exercises for Learning Anger and Excitation Management (RELAX). The application is a remote, technology- enabled, anger treatment and management system based on current evidence-based CBT interventions. The project's objective was to show that RELAX (1) enables the practice of anger management strategies remotely through mobile phone interfaces; (2) integrates with evidence-based treatments through the implementation of an existing CBT anger management course; (3) provides information, direction, and feedback through physiological sensors and signal analysis; and (4) supports communication and direction by the therapist through a web-based therapist interface.