DBT Skills Groups for Veterans at High Risk for Suicide Attempt
A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Multisite Trial of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group for Veterans at High-Risk for Suicide Attempt
This study is testing if adding Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Groups to regular treatment can help veterans who are at high risk for suicide feel better and reduce their suicidal thoughts.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 172 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 5 sites (San Diego, California and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05000749 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Groups (DBT-SG) in reducing emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation among veterans who have a history of suicide attempts. Veterans will be randomly assigned to receive either standard VHA treatment or VHA treatment plus DBT-SG. The study is being conducted at four VA medical centers and seeks to determine if the addition of DBT-SG can enhance the usual care provided to veterans. The focus is on addressing the critical issue of veteran suicide through a structured therapeutic approach.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are veterans eligible for VHA care who have experienced multiple suicide attempts and currently exhibit suicidal ideation and emotion dysregulation.
Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairment or those unable to attend group sessions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce suicidal ideation and improve emotional regulation among veterans at high risk for suicide.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that DBT is effective in reducing suicidal ideation, suggesting that this approach may yield positive results in this specific veteran population.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran eligible for VHA care at participating site * two or more suicide attempts in lifetime, with one in past 12 months, on Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) * current suicidal ideation (endorsing a suicidal ideation scale of at least 1 \[passive ideation\] on C-SSRS * emotion dysregulation (score 95 or greater on DERS) * can attend group sessions * willing to provide contact information for at least one person who can help locate the participant if study staff are unable to contact them (information for three contact persons will be requested; a participant must provide at least one contact person's information to be included in the study) * access to telephone; if insufficient access to videoteleconference and local facility is using remote procedures for study, willing to request access to VA-provided device Exclusion Criteria: * significant cognitive impairment (score \< 28 on modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (mTICS) * inability to read English or communicate in spoken and written English * plan to move away or be unavailable in the next 18 months
Where this trial is running
San Diego, California and 4 other locations
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA — San Diego, California, United States (Recruiting)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT — West Haven, Connecticut, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
- James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL — Tampa, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
- New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM — Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States (Recruiting)
- Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Suzanne Decker, PhD — VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT
- Study coordinator: Suzanne Decker, PhD
- Email: suzanne.decker@va.gov
- Phone: (203) 932-5711
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.