Mobile Intervention for Veterans With PTSD and Anger

Overseen by Kirsten H Dillon, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Anger is the mostly commonly reported reintegration concern among combat Veterans, especially those with PTSD. Problematic anger is associated with significant functional impairment. In the current project, the investigators will pilot-test a newly developed mobile app, entitled Mobile Intervention for Reducing Anger (MIRA), among Veterans with PTSD and problematic anger. The project will compare the MIRA app to a contact control condition. The investigators hypothesize that Veterans with PTSD and problematic anger will find the MIRA app acceptable and will be willing to use it to reduce their anger difficulties and improve psychosocial and occupational functioning.

Research Team

Kirsten H Dillon, PhD

Principal Investigator

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You have a score of 12 or higher on the 5-item Dimensions of Anger Reactions Scale.

You are able to read at least 6th grade level material.

Veterans diagnosed with PTSD, established via the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)

Exclusion Criteria

You are likely to have trouble sticking to your regular medication routine during the study.

You are currently experiencing severe episodes of mental illness, such as psychosis or mania.

You are currently having strong thoughts about hurting yourself or others and need immediate help.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Mindfulness Intervention (Behavioral Intervention)
• Mobile Intervention for Reducing Anger (MIRA) (Behavioral Intervention)

Participant Groups

Group I: Mobile Intervention for Reducing Anger (MIRA) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will be provided with a device that has the MIRA application (app) and asked to use the app for a period of 4 weeks.

Group II: Mindfulness Intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will be provided with a device that has the Mindfulness application (app) and asked to use the app for a period of 4 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Dr. Grant Huang

VA Office of Research and Development

Acting Chief Research and Development Officer

PhD in Medical Psychology and Master of Public Health from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Dr. Erica M. Scavella

VA Office of Research and Development

Chief Medical Officer since 2022

MD from University of Massachusetts School of Medicine