Suvorexant: A Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist for Treating Sleep Disturbance in Posttraumatic Stress...
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersStress Disorders1 morePost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common consequence of combat that can result in trauma-related hyperarousal and sleep disturbances. Poor sleep, one of the most common complaints in Veterans with PTSD, can be distressing, impair concentration and memory, and contribute to physical health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. The orexin neuropeptide system underlies both sleep and stress reactivity. Suvorexant, a drug that reduces orexin, improves sleep in civilians, but has not yet been tested in Veterans with PTSD. This study will test whether suvorexant can improve sleep disturbances and PTSD symptoms in Veterans. Suvorexant may benefit Veterans by improving sleep quickly while also reducing PTSD symptoms over the long term, and with fewer side effects that were common in previous medications used to treat these conditions. Improving Veterans' sleep and PTSD symptoms could lead to better emotional and physical well-being, quality of life, relationships, and functioning.
Neuromodulation and Neurorehabilitation for mTBI Plus PTSD
Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryPost Traumatic Stress DisorderThis study will determine (i) the magnitude of immediate and sustained effects of a current clinical standard interactive computer attention processing training (APT) when combined with intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a type of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and (ii) determine how APT + iTBS changes the neurocognitive system of attention in individuals with persistent attention deficits related to mTBI and PTSD.
Integration of PE & Coping Long-Term With Active Suicide Program for PTSD & Suicide Risk in Military...
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderSuicidal IdeationThe purpose of this study is to develop an innovative, safe, acceptable, feasible, and efficacious integrated CLASP-PE intervention and to Collect pilot data to evaluate the preliminary evidence of the promise of the intervention. We hypothesize that the CLASP-PE intervention will demonstrate safety, acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy in the open trial.
The Feasibility and Examination of the Effects of Floatation-based REST on a Community Sample With...
Post-Traumatic Stress DisordersThis project is being done to explore the effects floating has on individuals who have a history of trauma with stress related symptoms.
Combined Ketamine and eCBT Intervention for PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderAn open label RCT assessing the efficacy of a combined treatment approach for PTSD, using Ketamine infusions and online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Efficacy of Reboxetine and Methylphenidate Treatment on Attentional, Sensory and Emotional Dysregulation...
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderUp-to-date, no studies have examined the attentional, sensory and emotional processing (difficulties) among patients diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, the efficiency of drug treatments that focus on the noradrenergic and dopaminergic, and thus influence attention processing and PTSD symptoms through these pathways, have only briefly been investigated. There is well-established and long-standing evidence for the involvement of dopamine and noradrenaline in attentional function. This previously led to an investigation by the investigator's research lab in which the investigators hypothesized the involvement of an attentional disorder would influence PTSD symptoms in a rat model. Based on these results, the current study aims to characterize attentional deficits in patients with PTSD, as well as the correlation between attention, emotional regulation and sensory processing. The investigators do this partially by conducting a case-control study and through a subsequent double-blind RCT (with only the cases). The patients will be either treated with reboxetine + methylphenidate or placebo.
Evaluation of the PE Coach Mobile Application Among Veterans With PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderThousands of mental health mobile applications (apps) are available but limited research has been conducted on their effectiveness. VA has been a leader in mental health mobile app development and must research whether these apps work, and if so, how? PE Coach is a well-designed treatment companion app to one of the most researched, efficacious psychotherapies for PTSD (prolonged exposure), a treatment that has been broadly disseminated throughout VA mental health clinics. Research suggests that VA therapists find the app helpful in supporting patients. Preliminary results suggest that Veteran patients prefer to receive therapy withPE Coach and Veterans complete more recovery-oriented homework when they do. This study will randomize 124 Veterans with PTSD to treatment with or without PE Coach. The project will evaluate the effect of the app on PTSD-related functioning, quality of life, and PTSD symptoms. The investigators will test whether the app improves functioning and symptoms, increases homework, and reduces drop out.
Effectiveness of Trauma Therapy in Patients With PTSD and Comorbid Psychotic Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress DisorderPsychotic Disorders3 moreEffectiveness of trauma therapy using prolonged exposure for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with comorbid psychotic disorder
Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA)
Stress DisordersPost-Traumatic2 morePTSD is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions affecting Veterans who have served since 9/11. Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) report difficulty controlling impulsive aggression (IA). An inability to manage one's emotions (emotion dysregulation) is an underlying mechanism of IA. Reducing IA and increasing use of PTSD evidence-based psychotherapies are two critical missions for the Veterans Health Administration. The proposed research supports these missions by comparing a 3- session emotion regulation treatment (Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression) to a control group in order to determine if MERA can reduce IA and prepare Veterans for PTSD treatment. By enhancing Veterans' abilities to cope with trauma-related emotions and feel equipped to initiate PTSD treatments, this research aims to help Veterans decrease IA and ultimately recover from PTSD.
General Psychological Distress, PTSD, and Co-Morbidities in Healthcare Workers Consequent to COVID-19...
Post-traumatic Stress DisorderMoral InjuryIt is expected that large numbers of healthcare workers will experience a broad range of psychological reactions and symptoms including anxiety, depression, moral distress, and trauma symptoms that will cause both significant suffering as well as occupational and social impairment. The purpose of this study is to find interventions which are helpful in treating psychological distress in healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. There are two phases of the study. All participants will take part in Phase I, which consists of 4 sessions over a two-week period of either a narrative writing intervention or a medical music intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned to the narrative writing intervention or medical music intervention. After Phase I, participants will be re-assessed. Healthcare workers who meet criteria for PTSD will be given the option to participate in Phase II of the study, in which they will be offered a choice between one of two evidence-based treatments for PTSD: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) or Exposure Therapy (ET). Both treatments are comprised of ten 75-minute sessions scheduled twice weekly. Participants will be allowed to choose a preferred treatment in Phase II. After Phase II participants will complete a final assessment concluding the study. All interventions will be offered using distance technology.