This PTSD-focused methods-development EEG project aims to develop new tools for a) predicting PTSD treatment response, b) understanding the underlying biological process, and c) supporting the development of new treatments for PSTD. We are using an event-related potential (ERP) paradigm to develop non-invasive, easily implemented in clinic biomarker to provide useful information about the neurobiology of PTSD. The specific goals are to 1) collect ERP data within a veteran population before and after treatment with methylphenidate, 2) design data analysis methods that maximize available data, and 3) add to ongoing effort of translating technological advancements for PTSD research.
Patient Population: Adults
Self-directed mindfulness in medically hospitalized patients: a pragmatic trial
Consultation-liaison psychiatrists are often asked to manage mood and anxiety symptoms experienced by patients admitted to medical and surgical floors of the hospital. This study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-directed mindfulness intervention as an adjunctive treatment for improving mood, anxiety, and perceived stress in medically hospitalized patients. Participants, consisting of patients evaluated by the consultation-liaison psychiatry service, will be randomized to an adjunctive mindfulness intervention group or a treatment-as-usual control group. Feasibility and acceptability of implementing a mindfulness intervention will be assessed. Group differences in the changes in symptom severity and psychotropic medication administration will be investigated.
School-Based Paraeducator Education for Engagement at Recess (SPEER)
The purpose of this study is to compare two implementation strategies for a social engagement intervention that supports autistic children and their non-autistic peers during recess. Remaking Recess has been shown to improve peer engagement for autistic students when implemented by paraeducators during recess. However, without supports, paraeducators face barriers to implementing the intervention well. This study compares paraeducators’ use of Remaking Recess when they receive coaching alone and when they receive coaching along with consultation from school-based teams.
Testing the efficacy of the Helping Educational Leaders Mobilize Evidence (HELM) implementation strategy
This study will examine the efficacy of the Helping Educational Leaders Mobilize Evidence (HELM) implementation strategy for promoting building-level implementation leadership, implementation climate, and high-fidelity delivery of evidence-based practices. This study tests whether HELM improves outcomes when used in conjunction with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), an evidence-based practice. The researchers will compare the effects of PBIS implemented with usual supports and PBIS implemented with HELM. They will also explore what for whom, under what conditions, how equitably, and through which processes HELM works to improve student academic outcomes, as well as its cost-effectiveness.
MOVED BY LOVE: MOVE! Disparities for Black Veterans Lowered through Veteran Engagement.
This multi-method, participatory study centers Black Veterans and seeks to understand barriers and facilitators to weight loss among Black Veterans. The overall goal of this project is to reduce disparities between Black Veterans and White Veterans in the effectiveness of weight loss treatments.
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.
Coach up the coaches: extending the reach of mental health professionals in sport settings
More than half of school-aged youth in the US play at least one organized sport, are similarly at-risk for mental health disorders as compared to their non-athlete peers, and face heightened barriers to seeking and sustaining mental health care. While coaches are not licensed mental healthcare providers, there is a robust evidence-base about laypeople (e.g., parents, teachers) effectively delivering brief interventions across population settings to help reduce psychological distress and increase the adoption of health behaviors. However, such brief interventions have not as-yet been adapted for the sport setting, or delivered by coaches.
The overarching goal of this project is to identify sport setting appropriate (very) brief interventions and adapt them for coach delivery in the sport setting. This will be accomplished by working in partnership with coaches, athletes, and licensed mental health care providers. We will use University of Washington’s First Approach Skills Training (FAST) training model (originally designed to train primary care clinicians in mental healthcare skills) to train a pilot cohort of coaches to deliver these interventions. This project is the starting point for a potentially transformative opportunity to extend the reach of mental healthcare professionals into the large and often underserved population of youth sport participants.
