Training to help Veterans with TBI and PTSD recognize emotions better
Official title: Innovative multimodal and attention training to improve emotion communication in Veterans with TBI and PTSD
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11233144 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help Veterans with mild brain injuries and PTSD better recognize emotions in others by using special training techniques, so they can improve their relationships and feel more connected in everyday life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004411-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11233144 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving emotion recognition in Veterans who have experienced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It combines innovative training techniques that target both facial and vocal emotion recognition, along with attention training to enhance the ability to recognize emotions in everyday situations. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of this multimodal approach in improving interpersonal relationships and social reintegration for these Veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the emotional communication skills of Veterans, leading to better relationships and improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise with multimodal training approaches, but this specific combination of techniques in Veterans is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waid-Ebbs, Julia Kay — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Waid-Ebbs, Julia Kay
Related research
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-
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Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
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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.