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Local research projects actively recruiting

Interested in participating in a research study? See list below for opportunities.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Title: A Comparison of Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Pharmacotherapy, and their Combination for PTSD: What works best, and for whom.

Condition: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Sites participating

Coatesville VA Medical Center, VA North Texas Health System, San Diego VA Health Care System, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Palo Alto VA Health Care System, Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and University of Pennsylvania.

Summary

Doctors can treat PTSD in one of several ways. One way is with medicine. Another way is prolonged exposure therapy, in which patients work with a therapist to learn how to confront their fears. Both ways are effective, but questions remain about how they compare to each other.

In this study, the research team is comparing three ways to treat PTSD:

  • Medicine
  • Prolonged exposure therapy
  • Both medicine and prolonged exposure therapy

The research team is interviewing and surveying patients at the start of the study and again 7, 14, 27, and 40 weeks later. The interviews and surveys ask patients about symptoms of PTSD and depression and quality of life. Doctors are checking patients':

  • Symptoms of PTSD
  • Symptoms of depression
  • Ability to look after their health and well-being
  • Ability to successfully perform tasks at work and interact with others at home and in the community

Contacts

Coatesville VAMC Research Office
610-384-7711, ext. 5122
Lindiwe.Mayinja@va.gov

For more information:

Alcohol use disorder and insomnia

Title: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) Augmentation of Topiramate in promoting abstinence in alcohol use disorder (AUD)

Condition: Alcohol use disorder and insomnia

Sites participating

Coatesville VA Medical Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia

Summary

The purpose of this study is to find out whether Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) added to medications routinely prescribed to reduce alcohol consumption improves insomnia and alcohol consumption in early recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder.

Eligible Veterans will be in the treatment study for up to 28 weeks and will receive:

  • Overnight home sleep testing to screen for moderate to severe sleep apnea
  • Medications for harmful drinking recommended by the VA
  • Behavioral treatment for insomnia
  • Monetary compensation up to $800

Contacts

Coatesville VAMC Research Office
610-384-7711, ext. 5131
Ryan.Krouse@va.gov