Comparison of Mindfulness-Wellness Class Versus Brain Health Education in Veterans With mTBI
East Bay Institute for Research and Education
Summary
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-Po…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
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
Interventions
- BehavioralMindfulness-based Stress Reduction class
9-week standard Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction class training on mindfulness techniques, medication, and yoga
- BehavioralBrain Health Education class
9-week Brain Health education class that involves lectures/discussion about how the brain works and recovers after brain injury
Location
- VA Northern California Health Care SystemMartinez, California