Innovative Multimodal and Attention Training to Improve Emotion Communication in Veterans With TBI and PTSD

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Jul 25, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help veterans who have both mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) improve their ability to recognize emotions in themselves and others. Many veterans face challenges in understanding emotions, which can lead to difficulties in relationships, work, and social situations. The study will explore a training program that combines learning to recognize facial expressions and vocal tones with attention exercises to boost emotional understanding.

Veterans aged 18 to 62 who have been diagnosed with mild TBI and PTSD and struggle with recognizing emotions may be eligible to participate. To join, participants should have normal vision and hearing, be fluent in English, and not have certain mental health or chronic medical conditions. Those who take part can expect to engage in training sessions designed to improve their emotional recognition skills, which may help them connect better with others and improve their overall quality of life. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and everyone, regardless of gender, is welcome to apply.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Veterans with a diagnosis of mTBI and PTSD based on VA/Department of Defense guidelines.
• • Emotion recognition deficit
• • Attention deficit
• • Corrected vision within normal limits
• • Hearing within normal limits
• • Fluent in English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • premorbid history of schizophrenia
• • bipolar disorder
• • chronic medical or neurological diseases