One-day Life Skills Workshop for Veterans With TBI, Pain, and Psychopathology: Evaluating Efficacy and Mechanism of Change

Part of paid clinical trials in Houston, Texas.

Sponsor
VA Office of Research and Development
Study ID
NCT04143243
Status
Completed

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • ACT on Life — BEHAVIORAL
    1 day group workshop of ACT plus ERS
  • Education, Resources, and Support — BEHAVIORAL
    1 day group workshop of Education, Resources, and Support

Study Details

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the signature wound of Veterans returning from the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (i.e., OIF/OEF/OND), with up to 20 percent experiencing persistent post-concussive symptoms. Among Veterans with mTBI, the majority also experience stress-based psychopathology (e.g., depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or generalized anxiety disorder) and chronic pain. To cope with distress, pain, and other difficulties, Veterans often turn to maladaptive avoidant coping strategies which offer short term relief but exacerbate/maintain mental health problems and have detrimental long-term effects on social, occupational, and community reintegration. Unfortunately, Veterans face important barriers to seeking mental health treatment, including stigma and logistical issues. This proposal aims to examine 1) the impact of a Veteran-centered, non-stigmatizing, 1-day "life skills group workshop" on overall distress and reintegration; and 2) the mechanisms by which this treatment might work as well as possible influences on treatment efficacy.

Key Dates

Start date
Jul 1, 2020
Status verified
Sep 2025
Primary completion
Aug 3, 2024
Completion
Aug 3, 2024

Study Design

Enrollment
176 participants (actual)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Active Comparator: ACT on Life
    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy plus Education, Resources and Support ('ACT on Life'). The ACT+ERS intervention will include: 1) Acceptance and Mindfulness Training (2-3 hours); 2) Committed Action Training (2-3 hours) involving helping Veterans clarify what matters most to them and what they want to stand for in life, how they want to behave, and what sorts of strengths and qualities they want to develop; and; 3) Education, Resources, and Support (1 hour).
  • Placebo Comparator: Education, Resources, and Support
    Information provided in the ERS workshop was compiled from existing VHA and community resources. Veterans will be educated about 1) symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD and how these conditions do and do not impact daily life and functional ability; 2) common difficulties and challenges with reintegration into civilian life; 3) mild TBI, differences between civilian and Veteran TBIs, shared/crossover symptoms (for example, memory and concentration difficulties, sleep disturbance, irritability can be symptoms of depression, PTSD, and mild TBI); 4) chronic pain; how it is often often misinterpreted as on-going damage, leading to fear of physical activities and resulting in increased sedentary behavior and declines in physical functioning; and 5) treatment options and resources. Basic resource counseling will include guidance on the evidence-based treatments available at VHA. Problem solving, relaxation, and deep breathing techniques will be covered

Primary Outcome Measure

The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) -TOTAL Score [ Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months following workshop/intervention attendance. ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TXHoustonTexas77030-4211-

Find similar trials in Houston, TX

By condition
DepressionPTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX· Houston, TX

Related Studies