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N/A N=37 Randomized Single-blind Treatment

Meditation in Veterans With PTSD and Mild TBI

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic · Concussion, Mild

Enrolled (actual)
37
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Mar 2020
Primary outcome: Primary: Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS5)

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
Inner Resources for Veterans (IRV) (Behavioral); Essential Skills therapy (Behavioral)
Age
Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
VA Office of Research and Development
Primary completion
Jun 2017

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS5)
SECONDARY
Number of Participants With Significant Changes in Resting State Functional Connectivity Following Meditation or Control
0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0 >0.05
SECONDARY
Community Reintegration in Service Members (CRIS)
34.1; 36.4; 37.3; 38.9; 38.0; 38.4

Summary

The 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) as defined by the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline.
  • PTSD as assessed by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS);
  • Aged 18 - 49;
  • Have not previously participated in meditation training.

Exclusion Criteria

The investigators will exclude subjects who:

  • Meet DSM-IV criteria for drug or alcohol abuse in past 30 days;
  • Have a history of severe TBI based on any of following:
  • Glasgow Coma Score < 8;
  • alteration of consciousness greater than 24 hours; loss of consciousness greater than 30 minutes;
  • Have current neurological or general medical conditions known to impact cognitive and/or emotional functioning, including but not limited to:
  • epilepsy,
  • Parkinson's disease,
  • Huntington's disease,
  • Alzheimer's disease,
  • stroke,
  • chemotherapy for cancer;
  • Have acute psychological instability as assessed by MEDVAMC clinician or study staff or concurrent diagnosis or schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, organic psychosis, and subjects taking antipsychotic medication, and
  • Have already completed a course of meditation training.
  • The investigators will also exclude participants with general contraindications for MRI, including metal in or around the head (e.g., orthodontia, non-removable body piercings, etc.), ferromagnetic material in the body (e.g., non-removable body piercings), or non-MRI compatible medical devices.
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02280304). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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