Improving social support for veterans with PTSD using therapy
Official title: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD
Funded at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital · NIH-11091404 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help veterans with PTSD improve their relationships and feel more connected to others, making it easier for them to get the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bedford, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2020 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003382-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091404 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans diagnosed with PTSD who are experiencing difficulties in their social relationships.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or those who are not veterans may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on veterans suffering from PTSD who often face significant challenges in their interpersonal relationships and social support systems. The project aims to evaluate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a method to enhance social support among these veterans by addressing their interpersonal difficulties and feelings of detachment. Through this therapy, participants will learn to improve their relationships with family, partners, and peers, which is crucial for their emotional and physical well-being. The study will assess the effectiveness of this innovative treatment approach over the course of the research timeline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the social support and overall quality of life for veterans with PTSD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using therapeutic approaches like ACT to improve social functioning in various populations, suggesting potential success for this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
Bedford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kelly, Megan Marie — Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kelly, Megan Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
-
Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
-
Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)
A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.
-
Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders
This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.