Studying the Clinical Research Experiences of Patients With PTSD
PTSDClinical research participation percentages haven't always been fully representative of a given demographic. The goal is to find out which aspects of a clinical study may make it more difficult for patients to take part or see it through. The data will be evaluated through different demographic lenses and identify trends that could help improve the experience of future PTSD patients during clinical trials.
PTSD Prevention Study Examining the Efficacy of Sertraline in Burn Victims
Post-traumatic Stress DisorderThis is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine whether administration of sertraline to patients who exhibit acute stress disorder secondary to severe burns can contribute to the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Affect Management Group for Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma
Stress DisordersPost-TraumaticProblems of self regulation, e.g. emotional dysfunction, represent a core symptom of adult patients with traumatic childhood experiences. The study intends to evaluate the efficiency of a 14-week group therapy for adult survivors of relational trauma in childhood. Main interventions are psychoeducation about the sequelae of childhood trauma, teaching of skills for affect regulation and techniques for activating resources. The hypothesis is that the group therapy significantly improves the participant's capacity in emotion management and self-soothing.
The Effect of Roy Adaptation-Based Nursing Intervention
Hemodialysis ComplicationStress Disorders3 moreAbstract Objective: The research was conducted to determine the effect of the nursing intervention, which was given to patients according to the Roy Adaptation Model, on patients' stress, psychosocial adjustment, and self-care power. Methods: The population of the study, which was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study, consisted of 80 patients receiving outpatient dialysis treatment in the hemodialysis unit of a university hospital. The patients from the population were included in the sample of the study in a randomized manner. The data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Hemodialysis Stressor Scale, the Self-Care Scale, and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. Results: When the pre-tests between the groups were compared, hygienic self-care power, healthcare orientation, vocational environment, domestic environment, sexual relationships, extended family relations, social environment and total psychosocial adjustment levels changed significantly (p<0.05). When the post-tests were compared between the groups, no significant difference was found only in the mean of the mental state sub-dimension (p>0.05). Conclusion: Interventions made according to the Roy Adaptation Model reduced the stress level of the patients, and increased their self-care power and psychosocial adjustment. Keywords: Hemodialysis, Roy Adaptation Model, Stress, Self-Care Power, Psychosocial Adjustment
Dopamine Enhancement of Fear Extinction Learning in PTSD (1R21MH108753)
Stress DisorderPost TraumaticThe purpose of this study is to investigate a new use for a medication called levodopa (L-DOPA). L-DOPA has been approved for use in Parkinson 's disease, but not for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). L-DOPA is thought to enhance certain cognitive abilities that the investigators believe may be affected among women with PTSD. It is hypothesized that L-DOPA may enhance fear extinction learning to a conditioned fear stimulus. If this is true, L-DOPA may improve outcomes for those undergoing certain types of therapy for PTSD, though that aim is beyond the scope of this project. Additionally, the investigators are testing whether an individual's genetic profile affects how well L-DOPA works to enhance cognitive abilities.
Improving Implementation of Evidence Based PTSD Psychotherapy for Veterans in the Community
PTSDTo further increase the access of evidence based psychotherapies for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, we propose to offer training and intensive consultation to community-based providers in Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. However, we believe that many clinicians may not implement Cognitive Processing Therapy or take advantage of consultation after initial training. For this reason, we propose to examine the effectiveness of an enhanced training method, which would add Motivational Interviewing to the standard Cognitive Processing Therapy training. Motivational Interviewing is a form of collaborative discussion for strengthening motivation and commitment to change. We hypothesize that augmenting the standard Cognitive Processing Therapy training with these techniques will reduce providers' reluctance to fully implement the interventions.
Pain Management Using Mobile Technology in Veterans With PTSD and TBI
Chronic PainPosttraumatic Stress Disorders1 moreUp to half of military veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) also suffer from co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both are linked to higher risk of chronic pain, one of the most common health complaints among U.S. veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND). However, pain medications elevate risk of opioid abuse, and studies indicate that veterans perceive barriers to traditional mental health treatments. Little research exists regarding non-pharmacological, technology-based interventions designed to reduce pain in veterans with PTSD and TBI. Mobile technology used to implement neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) shows promise in providing a portable, low-cost intervention for reducing pain in veterans with co-occurring disorders. We aim to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using mobile neurofeedback devices for reducing pain symptoms in veterans with PTSD and TBI. Veterans with PTSD, TBI, and chronic pain will receive a NeuroSky headset (which reads EEG brain waves) and an iPod Touch with an app called Mobile Neurofeedback (which provides neurofeedback to induce relaxation). Veterans are taught how to use these together to do neurofeedback themselves at home for 12 weeks. Guided by existing research and preliminary data, we hypothesize that participants will show high levels of adherence to the NeuroSky + Mobile Neurofeedback intervention for the 3-month study duration and that participants will show statistically significant reduction in pain symptoms at 3 months compared to baseline. Given links between pain and other outcomes in veterans, we will also explore effects on drug abuse, violence, and suicidality. When the research is complete, the field will be changed because we will know whether new technology reading EEG brainwaves can be used to treat symptoms among individuals suffering from chronic pain. We will also know whether neurofeedback shows promise as an effective intervention for veterans with PTSD and TBI to reduce pain and related outcomes. If this program of research is successful, its impact will be to shift approaches to managing pain in clinical practice, for both veterans and civilians
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
PTSDPost Traumatic Stress DisorderThis is a research study that will look at how well a treatment called Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) works for patients who struggle with symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation is delivered using a device called Alpha-Stim®. This is a safe, non-invasive treatment that applies a low-level pulsed electric current through the brain using clip-on electrodes attached to the earlobes. Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation treats conditions such as physical pain, anxiety, and depression.
Testing the LOCI Intervention
Post-traumatic Stress DisorderLeadershipThe project will develop knowledge on how managers can lead the implementation of practices that have proven to be effective for post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in child and adult specialized mental health services. Specifically, the project will test the effectiveness of an intervention named the Leadership and Organizational Change for Implementation (LOCI). This is an empirically and theoretically based innovation for implementation leadership that aims to support leaders in their organizational work of leading the implementation of EBPs in their clinics. It is hypothesized that the implementation of LOCI will improve leaders' general leadership qualifications, their implementation leadership qualifications, and the implementation climate in the clinics. Further, the investigators hypothesize that training in trauma screening will increase the amount of trauma screenings, moderated by the LOCI implementation, and also that training in trauma treatment will increase the amount of patients to be offered this kind of treatment, also moderated by the LOCI implementation.
Wildlife and Wellbeing: An Animal-Assisted Intervention for Veterans With PTSD
Stress DisordersPost-TraumaticThis study investigates a novel approach to animal-assisted interventions through a series of wildlife immersion activities (wildlife observation, wildlife rehabilitation and bird feeding/watching) for veterans who have suffered trauma as part of their military duty. Findings from this study will advance scientific knowledge about the benefits of wildlife activities for veterans with PTSD including the acceptability, feasibility, safety and preliminary influence on physical and mental well-being. The findings will be instrumental in advancing a new area of health intervention research for veterans in settings that are publicly accessible and family-oriented for sustainable, low-cost interventions with potential application in other populations.