Va Office Of Research And Development

This study tests a short therapy program called ACT for Life for 278 veterans hospitalized due to suicide risk. The therapy includes 3 to 6 sessions during the hospital stay and 1 to 4 sessions after discharge, focusing on building a life worth living and preventing future suicid…

This study tests whether adding a mental strategy called WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) to a standard weight loss program helps Veterans lose more weight. About 405 Veterans with obesity will take part. They will either get the standard phone-based MOVE! program alone or MO…

This study tests a revised version of motivational interviewing, a type of counseling, to help veterans who are at high risk for suicide. The goal is to see if this approach reduces suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts better than the usual high-quality care. About 470 veterans…

This study tests a simple program called LOCK to help nursing home staff work together to prevent falls. It involves over 10,000 Veterans living in State Veterans Homes. Staff learn from successes, observe safety issues, and hold short daily huddles. The goal is to reduce falls a…

This study looks at whether adding work-focused programs to standard substance use treatment helps Veterans stay sober and feel better overall. About 103 Veterans in early recovery will either get a referral to work therapy or not. Researchers will track sobriety, mental health, …

This study tests whether game-like features and social rewards can help overweight veterans with high blood pressure become more physically active. About 725 veterans will take part in a 9-month program that uses friendly competition or teamwork to encourage more daily steps. The…

This study tests a wireless glucose monitoring system that sends blood sugar readings from the patient's bedside to the nursing station. The goal is to help nurses catch and prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) early in hospitalized veterans with type 2 diabetes who use insulin…

This study looks at whether the drug clopidogrel can prevent new silent brain infarctions (small, unnoticed strokes) in people who recently had a stroke or mini-stroke. Silent brain infarctions increase the risk of future strokes and memory problems. The study involves 134 partic…

This study tests whether a home-based walking program can help veterans with lower-limb amputation stay active long-term. About 95 veterans will use a step tracker and get coaching and peer support over 18 months. The goal is to improve daily steps and reduce disability.

This study tests a special exercise program for older Veterans with dementia living in VA nursing homes. The program, called PLIÉ, combines gentle movement and mental focus to improve physical function, mood, and social engagement. Researchers will train nursing home staff to lea…

This study tests a shorter version of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many veterans drop out of the standard 12-session program early, missing the most helpful parts. The goal is to find which therapy components work bes…

This pilot study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can help reduce alcohol cravings in veterans who also have mild traumatic brain injury or PTSD. Twenty veterans will be split into two groups: one receiving real rTMS and the other a placebo tre…

This study tracks 18 veterans with diabetic foot ulcers who are prescribed a special walking boot. Researchers want to see how often patients actually wear the boot and whether it helps ulcers heal faster, reduces the number of ulcers, and improves quality of life. The goal is to…

This study tests whether home-based physical and cognitive exercises, delivered through telemedicine, can reduce chronic pain in people with Parkinson's disease. 166 veterans with Parkinson's and chronic pain will participate. The goal is to find an affordable, easy-to-use approa…

This study looks at whether using MRI scans to guide a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment called rTMS works better than the usual scalp-based method for people with depression. About 54 Veterans will take part. For those not getting rTMS but dealing with COVID-19 stress, the…

This study looks at why veterans aged 50 and older feel tired after a COVID-19 infection and tests a simple home exercise program. Researchers will measure muscle strength and fatigue levels to understand the problem better. The goal is to see if a minimal-dose resistance exercis…

This study looks at whether giving rural VA hospitals video access to infectious disease experts can help them use antibiotics more carefully. The goal is to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and fight drug-resistant infections. Eight VA medical centers are taking part, and resea…

This study looks at why people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) get tired easily during exercise. Researchers will test whether regular physical activity can improve blood flow and reduce fatigue in 45 Veterans. The goal is to understand how nerves in t…

This study looks at whether a smartphone-based program can help veterans with depression begin and continue mental health treatment. Researchers will analyze medical records and test a self-monitoring tool with 47 veterans. The goal is to find better ways to support veterans who …

This study aims to help veterans with advanced chronic kidney disease learn more about their condition and make informed choices about dialysis. Researchers are testing a comprehensive education program to see if it increases the use of home dialysis, which is often underused. Th…

This study looks at whether a medical-legal partnership—where lawyers work closely with healthcare providers—can help veterans with housing problems avoid eviction and homelessness better than standard legal services alone. About 85 veterans will be randomly assigned to either th…

This study looks at whether a structured, time-limited case management program called Critical Time Intervention (CTI) helps homeless veterans stay housed. About 153 veterans across 32 VA sites will take part. Researchers will measure how well the program is followed, its cost, a…

This study looks at whether helping veterans with opioid use disorder find and keep jobs can improve their lives. Researchers will track how many weeks participants work and measure their quality of life. The goal is to see if employment support also helps them stay on medication…

This study tests a new type of therapy designed to help veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) improve their storytelling and everyday communication. The therapy focuses on both the content and organization of stories. Researchers want to see if the treatment is tolerable, ac…

This study looks at 65 veterans with PTSD who use cannabis frequently. Researchers want to see if reducing cannabis use improves their daily functioning, mental health, and quality of life. No new treatment is given—the goal is to gather real-world data to understand the relation…