Telehealth-delivered peer support to improve quality of life among Veterans with multimorbidity

We developed VetASSiST (Veterans Activating Social Support for Self-management and Treatment engagement) to help patients with multimorbidity overcome barriers to self-management and improve HRQoL. This trial has several aims: 1) Test the effect of VetASSiST, compared to usual care, on the primary outcome of baseline to one-year change in physical HRQoL, and secondary outcomes of mental HRQoL and health care utilization; 2a) Describe differences between VetASSiST and usual care on baseline to one-year changes in intermediate outcomes reflecting the functions of peer support and intervention targets; 2b) Examine whether intermediate outcomes mediate intervention-associated differences in HRQoL; and 3) Evaluate feasibility of translating VetASSiST into practice.

Opportunities for trainees may exist but a VA WOC appointment is required.

Harnessing the power of social support for weight management: a randomized controlled trial of HealthyTogether

We developed a behavioral intervention that seeks to support healthy lifestyles among Veterans by harnessing their social support networks called HealthyTogether. This trial has several aims: 1) Test whether HealthyTogether results in greater weight loss than usual care at six months among Veterans (primary); 2) Examine differences between HealthyTogether and usual care groups in secondary Veteran and partner outcomes, including health behaviors and relationship quality; 3) Examine Veteran and partner contributions to changes in their own and each other’s outcomes using dyadic analyses; and 4) Assess determinants of implementation.

Opportunities for trainees may exist but a VA WOC appointment is required.

Willow Study

The goal of this study is to understand the impact of stigma on mental health and recovery from trauma in different parts of the country.

Sequenced Treatment Effectiveness for Posttraumatic Stress (STEPS)

The proposed research will determine whether primary care clinics should offer medications or talk therapy first to treat posttraumatic stress. In addition, for patients who do not respond to the first treatment, the STEPS trial will determine what treatment should be offered next. More information on our info sheet.

NIDA Clinical Trials Network: Pacific Northwest Node

The NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) is a means by which medical and specialty treatment providers, treatment researchers, participating patients, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse cooperatively develop, validate, refine, and deliver new treatment options to patients. The Network consists of 16 regional Nodes, including the Pacific Northwest Node located at the UW Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute.

Project RELATE

The present study seeks to significantly expand our understanding of alcohol and cannabis co-use behaviors in the context of young adult romantic relationships through collecting daily dyadic quantitative data and qualitative interviews, and using this information to develop and pilot an integrated brief intervention to decrease alcohol and cannabis misuse and increase healthy relationships skills among this understudied, high-risk group.

Redesigning Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Autistic Young Adults in Community Clinics

This project will 1) identify the unique barriers autistic young adults experience in accessing full-model Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for suicidal thoughts and behaviors and non-suicidal self-injury in community settings, 2) determine needed adaptations to DBT from the perspectives of service providers and recipients, and 3) user-test elements of a redesigned DBT protocol. 

Biomarkers in the retina for prognosticating mental health treatments (BRIGHT)

This clinical trial is designed to pilot an electroretinogram (ERG) biomarker for predicting treatment response to SSRIs in PTSD. Serotonergic brain centers project to the retina, and ERG allows assessment of brain serotonergic signals via retinal signals. In this study we are characterizing the ERG waveform in veterans with PTSD before and after SSRI administration. Patients then enter an open label phase of the study, with those who have initiated an SSRI through routine medication management invited back for a follow up study visit. This pilot data will: 1)be valuable as a feasibility study for assessing the practical application of ERG in the setting of a mental health clinic and 2)serve as a foundation for a long-term goal of developing physiologic biomarkers to match veterans to corresponding pharmacological treatments in PTSD and other mental health disorders.

Alcohol-focused Support of Survivors In Sororities Training (ASSIST)

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a new online program called ASSIST – Alcohol-focused Support of Survivors In Sororities Training. The training is designed to help sorority members learn how to support friends who have had an unwanted sexual experience, both during the initial discussion of the experience and when navigating recovery in the longer-term. This multiphase study involves (1) developing the training in collaboration with students and campus stakeholders, (2) improving the training content and design through individual interviews with sorority members, (3) conducting an open trial of the training within one chapter, and then (4) conducting a pilot cluster randomized trial to evaluate feasibility and initial efficacy of the training. If found to be effective, this training could be widely disseminated and facilitate positive change in social contexts where survivors recover.

Real-world Experiences of Alcohol and Cognitions over Time (REACT)

The overall aim of the REACT Study is to create and assess smartphone-based cognitive tasks to examine how acute alcohol intoxication affects attention. First, we will adapt laboratory-based cognitive tasks for use on smartphones. To maximize usability, feedback will be gathered in rapid prototyping interviews with young adults. Then, we will evaluate the adapted smartphone tasks in two settings: (1) a controlled laboratory session in which young adults are administered a standard dose of alcohol, and (2) real-world drinking experiences over eight weekends, as measured with phone surveys and a wrist-based alcohol biosensor. Findings are expected to clarify the role of alcohol-related attentional narrowing in real-world behaviors. Results will be used to inform the development of just-in-time adaptive interventions to prevent alcohol-related consequences.