What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Common treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Trauma-focused CBT and exposure therapy help patients process and reframe traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact and associated symptoms. SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain, alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms. Educational support and mental health management, such as those provided by the VetEd App, offer coping strategies, academic skills, and mental health resources, helping patients manage symptoms more effectively and improve their quality of life.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for PTSD include pharmacotherapy with SSRIs and SNRIs, which can cause side effects like weight gain, fatigue, somnolence, and metabolic abnormalities. Psychotherapy, such as trauma-focused CBT and exposure therapy, generally has fewer physical side effects but may initially increase anxiety or distress as patients confront traumatic memories. The VetEd App focuses on educational support and mental health management, aligning more closely with psychotherapy and psychoeducational interventions.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several medications for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline and paroxetine. These medications help manage symptoms by altering neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Additionally, trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) are widely recognized as effective treatments for PTSD. The VetEd App trial aims to support student veterans by integrating educational support with mental health management, which aligns with the use of SSRIs and trauma-focused therapies to address psychiatric symptoms and improve overall functioning.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to the VetEd App for PTSD patients include: 1) VetChange, a web intervention that has shown effectiveness in reducing drinking and PTSD symptoms among veterans. 2) Vets Prevail, an interactive online treatment program that has demonstrated improvements in depression, PTSD symptoms, and perceived physical health. 3) mHealth technologies, which include mobile ecological momentary assessment and SMS messaging to support behavioral health treatment and crisis management. These alternatives provide comprehensive support for mental health management and have been validated in clinical settings.

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VetEd App for Mental Health Support in Student Veterans

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Erin D. Reilly, PhD

Research Sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Competent to provide informed consent

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Severe suicidal ideation or a psychiatric hospitalization within the past month

Cognitive impairment that would interfere with participation

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 4-week time point

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial aims to develop and test a mobile app called VetEd for student Veterans with mental health issues. The app helps them plan their education, improve study skills, manage mental health, and find useful resources. It targets student Veterans who face higher rates of PTSD and depression, leading to academic challenges.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for student veterans who are currently enrolled in at least two higher education courses, own a smartphone, can read English, and have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder according to DSM-5. They should self-report difficulties with course activities but not have severe substance use disorders or recent suicidal ideation/hospitalization.

What is being tested?

The VetEd Mobile Application is being tested as an academic support tool for student veterans with mental health issues. It aims to help them transition into the student role by providing resources for educational planning, academic skills enhancement, and mental health management.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves using a mobile app designed for educational support rather than medication or medical procedures, traditional physical side effects are not applicable. However, users may experience frustration if technical issues arise or if they find the app unhelpful.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I understand and can agree to the study's procedures and risks.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I have not had severe thoughts of suicide or been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons in the last month.

Select...

My thinking or memory problems do not prevent me from participating.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 4-week time point

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~4-week time point

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 4-week time point for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

System Usability Scale (SUS)

Secondary study objectives

Acceptability E-Scale (AES)

Military to Civilian questionnaire (M2C-Q)

The Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES)

+1 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: VetEd Mobile ApplicationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants be provided with the VetEd mobile app, with instructions on how to utilize the app at home over a four-week period.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

VetEd Mobile Application

2023

N/A

~20

0 / 3Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Trauma-focused CBT and exposure therapy help patients process and reframe traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact and associated symptoms. SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain, alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms. Educational support and mental health management, such as those provided by the VetEd App, offer coping strategies, academic skills, and mental health resources, helping patients manage symptoms more effectively and improve their quality of life.

Theoretical and empirical issues in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans.