Improving sleep for Veterans with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain
Official title: A Sleep Intervention to Improve Quality of Life and Symptom Management in Veterans With the Polytrauma Clinical Triad
Run by VA Office of Research and Development · NCT06477796 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will try morning bright light therapy at home to improve sleep for Veterans who have TBI, PTSD, and chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 89 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 96 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Portland, Oregon) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 29, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | June 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06477796 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Veterans with a documented history of TBI who report current sleep disturbances, speak English, have phone and internet access, and are clinically stable on current psychiatric or pain treatments.
✕Probably not a fit
Those with decisional impairment or dementia, active bipolar disorder or macular degeneration, current use of a lightbox or ion generator, shift work, recent cancer or surgery, recent substance abuse, suicidal ideation, or significant post-stroke hemiparesis are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This trial tests a home-based morning bright light therapy intervention, with a negative ion generator used as a comparator, in Veterans who have the polytrauma clinical triad (TBI, PTSD, and chronic pain). Participants are Veterans with documented TBI and current self-reported sleep disturbances who are clinically stable on current behavioral or pharmacologic treatments. Outcomes include sleep measures, cognitive function, pain severity, PTSD symptoms, and functional quality of life using standardized surveys and tests. The approach is non-pharmacologic, low-cost, and designed for rapid home deployment to break the cycle of poor sleep worsening related sequela and vice versa.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, morning bright light therapy could improve sleep and downstream problems like pain, cognitive difficulties, and PTSD symptoms, helping Veterans regain daily functioning and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Bright light therapy has shown benefits for sleep and mood in other populations and early work from these investigators shows promise, but large-scale evidence specifically in the polytrauma clinical triad is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran * English speaking with phone and internet access * Current self-reported sleep disturbances * Clinical stable for current pharmacologic or behavioral health treatments for depression, anxiety, sleep and pain * Documented history of TBI Exclusion Criteria: * Decisional impairment and/or dementia * Current usage of a lightbox or negative ion generator * Shift work * History of macular degeneration and/or bipolar disorder * Evidence for suicidal ideation * Cancer diagnosis within the past 6 months * Surgery within the past 6 months * Substance abuse within the past 6-12 months * Significant impairing post-stroke residual hemiparesis
Where it's running
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VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jonathan E Elliott, PhD — VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR
- Study coordinator: Jonathan E Elliott, PhD
- Email: jonathan.elliott@va.gov
- Phone: (503) 220-8262
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Long-term outcomes after Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in veterans with TBI, PCS, or PTSD
This study tests whether benefits from HBOT persist over time for veterans with brain injury or related conditions.
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Non‑trauma PTSD treatment for veterans and service members with mild or moderate TBI
This pilot will test a non‑trauma psychotherapy program to help veterans and service members with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury who have PTSD.
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This study is testing if stimulating a part of the brain called the amygdala can help improve memory in people with epilepsy who are being monitored for seizures.
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Using cannabidiol to treat PTSD and traumatic brain injury symptoms
This study is testing if taking cannabidiol (CBD) can help people with PTSD, some of whom also have mild brain injuries, feel better compared to a placebo.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.