Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA)

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Mar 8, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA) trial is studying how a short treatment program can help Veterans who struggle with controlling their aggressive feelings, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in combat since 9/11. The program includes three sessions focused on improving how Veterans manage their emotions, which can lead to a decrease in impulsive aggressive behavior. This research aims to make it easier for Veterans to start effective PTSD treatments by helping them feel more in control of their emotions.

To participate in this study, Veterans must have served in combat zones since 9/11, be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, and have engaged in aggressive acts like yelling or throwing things recently. It's important that they can have someone close to them verify these behaviors. Participants should be willing to keep their current mental health medications unchanged during the study. It's also crucial that they are not currently feeling suicidal or having thoughts of harming others. If eligible, participants can expect to attend three sessions that focus on managing emotions and reducing aggression, which could help them on their journey to recovery from PTSD.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Male and female Veterans who deployed to combat zones since 9/11.
• • 2. Currently meets criteria for full or subthreshold PTSD, determined by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5
• • 3. Engaged in at least 3 self-reported aggressive acts (e.g., yelling, throwing objects, hitting objects/people) in the last month, measured by the Overt Aggression Scale
• • 4. Impulsive aggression is his/her primary form of aggression, determined by the Impulsive Premeditated Aggression Scale
• • 5. Each Veteran must allow an independent aggression rater (live-in partner, family member, or roommate above 18 years of age)\] verify the number of aggressive acts, using the Overt Aggression Scale.
• • 6. Agreement not to change psychotropic medications through the duration of the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Currently suicidal with intent of self-harm in the last week.
• • 2. Currently homicidal with plans to hurt a specific person.
• • 3. Unable to complete self-report measures.
• • 4. Meets diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder.
• • 5. Had a psychotropic medication change within 4 weeks prior to the baseline assessment. Veterans receiving general mental health services or engaging in usual care will be allowed to participate.