Overview
This study is testing the usefulness of two types of Brain Health & Wellness classes for Veterans with a history of concussion to improve mental health.
Description
This is a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in 120 Veterans with comorbid PTSD and chronic mTBI. Half of the participants are randomly assigned to MBSR and the other half, to a Brain Health education class, which serves as an active control group. A battery of standardized psychological and cognitive measures are administered prior to and following the class interventions to assess change in response to the intervention, with an additional 6-month follow-up assessment to test for lasting changes. The primary outcome measures include the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory IV (functional outcome), PTSD Checklist (psychological outcome), and cognitive control test (cognitive outcome).
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria:
- 18-75 years old
- chronic history (>6 months) of one or more mTBIs
- current diagnosis of PTSD
- at least one self-reported cognitive symptom
Exclusion criteria:
- no history of other neurologic disease (e.g., tumor, stroke, dementia, Parkinson's)
- no history of major brain surgery
- no history of moderate or severe TBI
- no active alcohol or drug dependence or abuse within previous 30 days
- no history of severe psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia)
- no current suicidal ideation/risk
- no clinically severe medical illness requiring treatment