Improving sleep for Veterans with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain

A sleep intervention to improve quality of life and symptom management in Veterans with the polytrauma clinical triad

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · PORTLAND VA MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11226574

A simple at-home sleep program aims to help Veterans who have traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain sleep better and feel less burdened by symptoms.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorPORTLAND VA MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PORTLAND, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11226574 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would be invited to try a straightforward, at-home, non-pharmacologic sleep program designed for Veterans who have the combination of TBI, PTSD, and chronic pain (the polytrauma clinical triad). The project builds on preliminary work showing sleep improvement may reduce related problems like memory and concentration issues, pain intensity, and PTSD symptoms. Researchers will track sleep, cognitive function, pain, PTSD symptom levels, and overall quality of life before and after the program. The goal is to break the cycle where poor sleep makes other symptoms worse and those symptoms in turn keep you from sleeping well.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans who have coexisting traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain and who are experiencing ongoing sleep problems and can participate in an at-home program.

Not a fit: People without sleep problems, those who do not have the triad of TBI/PTSD/chronic pain, or those with untreated medical or psychiatric conditions that require other immediate care may not see benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could improve sleep and ease pain, PTSD, and cognitive complaints, leading to better daily functioning and quality of life for participating Veterans.

How similar studies have performed: Behavioral sleep treatments have helped sleep and related symptoms in other groups, and preliminary data from the investigators indicate promise for this simple at-home approach in Veterans with the polytrauma clinical triad.

Where this research is happening

PORTLAND, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.