Developing a therapy for veterans to help them reintegrate after moral injuries
Consulting After Combat: Interviewing Service Members and Veterans to Develop a Therapy to Restore Functioning and Reintegration After Moral Injury Events
This study is trying to create a new group therapy program for veterans who have faced tough moral challenges in combat to help them adjust better to civilian life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Temple, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT05020587 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to create a group therapy manual specifically designed for combat veterans who have experienced potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs). It recognizes that traditional PTSD treatments may not adequately address the unique challenges faced by veterans, particularly those related to moral injury. By employing user-centered design methods and expert clinical feedback, the study seeks to develop a relational dynamic-based therapy that enhances veterans' functioning and quality of life. The approach emphasizes the importance of shared experiences among veterans in addressing their trauma and improving their reintegration into civilian life.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are English-speaking veterans aged 18 and older who have experienced combat deployments and report moral injury as their worst trauma.
Not a fit: Patients with untreated substance abuse disorders or severe suicidal ideation may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve the mental health and reintegration of veterans suffering from moral injury.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically targeting moral injury in veterans, similar approaches in trauma-informed care have shown promise in other contexts.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * The investigators will recruit 12 potentially morally injurious event (PMIE)-impaired Veterans. * Potential participants include: * male and female * English-speaking Veterans * 18 years of age or older * enrolled in Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System * with a service record of combat deployments * Participants must: * comprehend and sign the informed consent form * if they report a PMIE as their worst trauma * 3 on the MIOS functional impairment item * if they score 10 on the SDS Exclusion Criteria: * Veterans will be excluded from the study if they have either: * untreated substance abuse disorder * severe suicidal or homicidal ideation, defined using the C-SSRS * \<18 on the MOCA, indicating potential for more than mild cognitive impairment
Where this trial is running
Temple, Texas
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX — Temple, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sheila Frankfurt, PhD — Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX
- Study coordinator: Sheila Frankfurt, PhD
- Email: Sheila.Frankfurt@va.gov
- Phone: (254) 400-6742
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.