Research

Finding the best ways to prevent and treat psychological health problems in military service members, veterans, and first responders

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia vs Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Military Personnel with Postconcussive Symptoms Following Mild TBI

PIKristi Pruiksma, PhD
Location(s)Killeen, Texas
Aim

Evaluate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (BBT-I) in an active military population suffering from insomnia after experiencing a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Determine the optimal behavioral insomnia treatment in this population; explore whether insomnia treatment improves other TBI-related symptoms; and explore if insomnia treatment improves brain functioning.

StatusCurrently enrolling research participants

Crisis Response Planning for Military Personnel with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

PIHannah Tyler, PhD, ABPP, LPC-S & Craig Bryan, PhD, ABPP
Location(s)Killeen, Texas
Aim

Evaluate the efficacy of Crisis Response Planning as a secondary suicide prevention intervention compared with Treatment as Usual among military service members who are at elevated risk for suicide due to their history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

StatusStudy enrollment expected to begin in Summer 2025

Augmenting Massed Cognitive Processing Therapy to Prevent Suicide Risk Among Patients With PTSD

PICraig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP
Location(s)Killeen, Texas
Aim

Determine if the addition of Crisis Response Planning to massed Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD reduces suicide attempts among military personnel with diagnosed or subthreshold PTSD and suicide ideation; identify early markers of treatment response and relapse of suicide risk; and identify treatment content and design features that influence treatment effectiveness and acceptability.

StatusStudy enrollment expected to begin in Summer 2025

Treatment of TBI-Related Tinnitus and Comorbid PTSD: Examination of Neurobiological Markers Related to Symptom Improvement

PIJohn Moring, PhD, ABPP
Location(s)San Antonio, Texas
Aim

Conduct a randomized crossover clinical trial with service members and veterans with comorbid mTBI-related tinnitus and PTSD to (1) determine the directionality between the two disorders, (2) clarify the best sequence of therapeutic interventions to alleviate symptoms, and (3) identify neurobiological markers of symptom improvement, potentially to be used as neuromodulatory targets for brain stimulation treatments.

StatusStudy recruitment expected to begin in Spring 2025

Contribution of Psychological Health Comorbidity to Personalized Treatment for Headache Attributable to mTBI

PIDonald McGeary, PhD
Location(s)San Antonio, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Boston, Massachusetts
Aim

Leverage existing research combined with novel qualitative, retrospective, and prospective studies to develop the first comprehensive guidance on pharmacological and nonpharmacological, patient-centered treatment for posttraumatic headache (PTH) in military service members and veterans who have suffered mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

StatusData gathering and analyses are ongoing

Implementing and Evaluating a Patient-Centered PTSD Treatment Program for Military Personnel

PIAlan L. Peterson, PhD, ABPP (Lt Col, US Air Force, Ret.) & Vanessa Jacoby, PhD
Location(s)Killeen, TX
Aim

Conduct a partially randomized preference trial to evaluate the relationships between patient characteristics, preferences, treatment engagement, and outcomes for military members who engage in a shared-decision-making pre-intervention followed by evidence-based treatment. Also evaluate the impact of shared decision making on PTSD treatment completion and symptom reduction.

StatusRecruitment of participants is expected to begin in Fall 2024

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Integrated Vestibular Rehabilitation (ACTIVE) for mTBI: A Targeted, Randomized Controlled Trial

PIAnthony Kontos, PhD
Location(s)Killeen, Texas, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Aim

Evaluate a combination therapy for vestibular rehabilitation and psychological health following a mild traumatic brain injury. Determine whether it reduces vestibular symptoms and functional impairment more quickly and effectively than usual care. Look for predictors of treatment response that can guide future personalized care approaches.

StatusExpected to begin recruitment in summer/fall of 2024

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Quetiapine Monotherapy vs. Treatment as Usual Polypharmacy for Postconcussive Syndrome in Veterans

PIMuhammad Rais Baig, MD
Location(s)San Antonio, Texas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico
Aim

Evaluate the effectiveness of quetiapine as a single medication therapy for postconcussive syndrome compared to treatment as usual with multiple medications following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Determine whether quetiapine effectively reduces postconcussive symptoms and functional disability and improves quality of life. Explore whether it enhances recovery by reducing medication side effects and increasing engagement in rehabilitation services.

StatusSan Antonio site is currently recruiting; New Mexico site expected to start recruitment in Fall 2024

Combining Stellate Ganglion Block with Prolonged Exposure for PTSD: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PIAlan L. Peterson, PhD, ABPP (Lt Col, US Air Force, Ret.)
Location(s)San Antonio, TX, and Killeen, TX
Aim

Evaluate the efficacy of a stellate ganglion block (SGB) injection combined with massed Prolonged Exposure therapy (massed PE) for the treatment of PTSD in active duty military personnel.

StatusStudy currently open for recruitment in San Antonio

Randomized Controlled Trial of Intensive Multi-Couple Group Therapy for PTSD Versus Relationship Education in Military Couples

PISteffany Fredman, PhD
Location(s)Recruitment in South & Central Texas for retreats in San Antonio
Aim

Test an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD in comparison to an established couples’ relationship education program. Evaluate how effectively the interventions reduce service members’ and veterans’ PTSD and related symptoms and simultaneously reduce their partners’ psychological distress and improve couples’ relationship satisfaction.

StatusCurrently recruiting participants for upcoming retreats
Secured By miniOrange