Va Office Of Research And Development

This study tests whether adding digital coaching to home-based cardiac rehabilitation helps veterans complete more rehab sessions and improve their heart health. 150 veterans with heart disease will be randomly assigned to standard home rehab or home rehab plus a private social m…

This study tests whether adding a drug that blocks a survival process called autophagy can make standard TACE therapy more effective for liver cancer. TACE cuts off blood supply to the tumor, but cancer cells often survive by eating themselves. The new approach aims to stop that …

This study is testing a new treatment strategy for men with advanced prostate cancer that has stopped responding to standard hormone-blocking therapy. All participants will receive two types of targeted radiation treatment and will stop their current hormone-suppressing therapy. …

This study is for Veterans with advanced liver disease who want better care. It uses a nurse counselor over video or phone to help patients understand their illness, share what matters most to them, and align treatments—including possible liver transplant—with their goals. The st…

This study is testing whether the drug empagliflozin, which is used for diabetes and chronic kidney disease, is safe for people who have received a kidney transplant. The goal is to see if it can help protect the heart and the transplanted kidney. The study will enroll 264 vetera…

This study tests a program called Measurement-Based Care (MBC) for 250 veterans with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The program uses regular patient questionnaires to help doctors spot problems early and adjust treatment between clinic visits. The goal is to improve quality of…

This study looks at whether adding a smartphone app to standard medication can help Veterans with alcohol use disorder drink less heavily. About 330 Veterans from VA primary care will either get medication alone or medication plus the app. The goal is to see if the app makes it e…

This study tests whether a new combination of two oral drugs (stenoparib and temozolomide) works better than the current standard treatment for relapsed small cell lung cancer. About 166 adults who have already had one round of chemotherapy will join. Researchers will use a blood…

This study tests whether empagliflozin, a drug used for diabetes, can protect the kidneys and heart in people who have received a heart transplant. About 200 veterans who had a heart transplant at least three months ago will take either the drug or a placebo for one year. The goa…

This study tests a simple, non-invasive technique called remote ischemic preconditioning in 240 heart failure patients undergoing heart catheterization. Before the procedure, a blood pressure cuff on the arm is inflated briefly to trigger the body's natural protection. The goal i…

This study tests whether the medication empagliflozin can make arteries more flexible in veterans with obesity. About 50 participants will take either the drug or a placebo for 12 weeks. The goal is to see if the drug improves blood vessel health, which could lower future heart r…

This study tests whether a telehealth pain management program can help veterans who have surgery outside the VA avoid becoming long-term opioid users. About 400 veterans having orthopedic surgery through community care will either receive the telehealth program or standard care. …

This study compares two screening methods—ultrasound and a shorter MRI—to see which finds liver cancer earlier in people with cirrhosis. The goal is to catch cancer at a stage where it can be treated more effectively, potentially reducing deaths from liver cancer. About 4,700 par…

This study tests whether a program called VA Brief Intervention and Contact (VA BIC) can lower suicide risk in Veterans after they leave a non-VA mental health treatment center. About 120 Veterans who have had recent suicidal thoughts will take part. The goal is to see if this ap…

This study tests whether metformin, a safe diabetes drug, can improve walking ability and reduce leg pain in veterans with peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD causes leg pain during activity due to blocked arteries, and there is no effective medical treatment. The trial will giv…

This study tests a mobile app called MIST designed to help veterans reduce suicidal thoughts. The app uses techniques to change unhelpful thinking patterns linked to suicide. Researchers will enroll 50 veterans to see if the app is easy to use and satisfying. This is a small pilo…

This study tests whether a type of talk therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can help veterans with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) function better at work, home, and in social settings. About 160 veterans with OCD (half also have PTSD) will receive either ER…

This study tests whether a small, FDA-cleared device placed on the ear can reduce pain and improve daily function in 240 veterans with fibromyalgia. The device sends mild electrical pulses to nerves in the ear, aiming to calm pain signals without medication. Participants will be …

This study tests a new training program for veterans who have both mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and PTSD and struggle to recognize emotions in others. The program combines face and voice emotion training with attention exercises. Researchers hope this will improve veterans'…

This study looks at whether adding Whole Health Coaching to standard pain management helps veterans with chronic pain feel better and use opioids more safely. About 432 veterans who have high-impact chronic pain and take long-term opioids will take part. The goal is to see if coa…

This study tests a wearable leg exoskeleton to help people with leg stiffness (spasticity) from spinal cord injury. Ten veterans will try the device during stretching, treadmill, and overground walking exercises. The goal is to see if the robot can improve leg movement and walkin…

This study looks at whether a supervised exercise program can improve balance and walking in older adults with moderate (50-69%) narrowing of the carotid artery who have no symptoms. About 50 participants will do aerobic and balance exercises. The goal is to see if exercise helps…

This study looks at two different exercise plans for veterans with moderate Parkinson's disease. One group exercises a lot for one week, then rests for three weeks. The other group exercises every week. Researchers will measure walking speed, daily activity, and blood vessel heal…

This study tests a simple, three-session expressive writing program to help sexual minority veterans cope with stress related to their identity and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. About 85 veterans who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer and have significant d…

This study tests a 40-minute web-based program designed to teach Veterans coping skills for suicidal thoughts. Researchers will compare the program to standard care in 180 Veterans over one month. The goal is to see if the online tool reduces suicidal thoughts and behaviors more …

This study tests a new way to help veterans with PTSD stop smoking. It combines counseling, nicotine gum, and a noninvasive brain stimulation called TMS. Researchers want to see if this approach is practical and helps veterans quit. The study is recruiting 50 veterans aged 18-75 …

This study tests whether daily growth hormone injections for 6 months can improve quality of life in veterans who have both mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). About 172 veterans aged 21–55 will receive either the hormone or a placebo. T…

This study tests whether yoga-based exercises can improve community functioning—like social activities, work, and daily living skills—in veterans with severe mental illness (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar 1). About 112 veterans will be randomly assigned to ei…

This study tests whether a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve can reduce anxiety, withdrawal symptoms, and cravings in veterans with alcohol use disorder. About 80 veterans will receive the treatment, and researchers will measure changes in mood, quality of life,…

This study tests whether a brief PTSD therapy called Written Exposure Therapy (WET) works for veterans who also have a serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The goal is to see if the therapy is practical and helpful for this group, and to make it more cul…

This study tests whether a type of talk therapy called Behavioral Activation, delivered via home-based telehealth, can improve social and role functioning in veterans recently hospitalized for heart disease. About 132 participants will receive either 12 therapy sessions or standa…

This study tests a two-session program for family members of Veterans with PTSD. The goal is to see if involving family helps Veterans stay in their regular PTSD therapy and reduces symptoms more than therapy alone. About 200 Veteran-family pairs will take part, with some familie…

This study tests a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program that treats anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol use at the same time in veterans. The goal is to improve how well participants function in daily life, reduce anxiety, and lessen alcohol-related problems. The study will enroll 4…

This study is for people with spinal cord injury who have trouble emptying their bowels. Normally, they use a gloved finger to stretch the rectum to help things move. The researchers want to see if using a mild electrical zap instead works just as well or better. If it does, it c…

This study tests whether a non-invasive magnetic brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce fatigue in people who had a stroke more than six months ago. About 60 participants will receive rTMS, and researchers will measure changes in fatigue, mood, and thinking. The goal …

This study tests a therapy called Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT) for veterans with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. TCT uses computer exercises to improve how the brain processes basic sensory information, which may help thinking, daily f…

This study looks at whether adding morning bright light therapy to cognitive training can improve thinking, mood, and sleep in veterans who have both mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD. About 144 veterans from two VA hospitals will take part. The goal is to find better ways to …

This study tests whether a group exercise program done over video calls is practical and helpful for veterans with knee or hip arthritis. Fifty veterans will take part in a 3-month exercise program, followed by 6 months of maintenance with either text messages or extra group sess…

This study tests a non-invasive treatment called rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) to see if it can safely improve thinking in veterans with Parkinson's disease who have mild memory or attention problems. Researchers will measure changes in executive function (l…

This study tests whether adding a memory-enhancing technique to standard PTSD therapy helps older veterans learn and remember therapy content better. About 30 veterans over age 59 with PTSD will take part. The goal is to see if this approach is feasible and reduces PTSD symptoms.

This study is testing a new wheelchair design that lets users change gears, similar to a bicycle. The goal is to see if having different gear ratios makes pushing easier on flat ground, uphill, or over carpet, and reduces shoulder pain. About 30 manual wheelchair users with spina…

This study compares two support programs for family caregivers of Veterans with dementia who are in the hospital. One program, Hospital GamePlan4Care, provides a handbook, online training, and phone coaching tailored to the caregiver. The other offers general education and resour…

This study is testing whether a single intravenous dose of ketamine can quickly improve depression in 80 veterans with Parkinson's disease who haven't responded well to standard antidepressants. Researchers will also look at how ketamine affects the brain's ability to adapt and l…

This study is testing a new social skills training program designed to help Veterans with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, or PTSD improve their work relationships and job performance. The program combines group training with one-on…

This study aims to help Veterans and their primary care doctors decide whether an in-person, phone, or video visit is best for each situation. Researchers will survey 600 Veterans and their doctors to understand the benefits and costs of each visit type. They will then test a new…

This study tests a new tool that helps physical therapists create personalized recovery plans for veterans after total knee replacement. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the tool adjusts therapy based on each person's needs and goals. The goal is to improve how well veter…

This study tests a program called VA S.A.V.E. that teaches family members and friends of Veterans how to spot signs of suicide risk and connect the Veteran to professional help. About 710 participants who are close to a Veteran will take the training and report how often they use…

This study looks at how COVID-19 treatments like Paxlovid and remdesivir are used in the VA healthcare system and how well they work. Researchers will study up to 400,000 veterans to compare treatments, track hospitalizations and deaths, and also examine flu and RSV vaccines and …

This study looks at whether a genetic test can help find men who are at high risk for serious prostate cancer while helping low-risk men avoid unnecessary biopsies. About 5,000 male Veterans aged 55-69 will take part. The goal is to make prostate cancer screening more accurate an…

This study looks at how emotions and brain inflammation are connected to pain in veterans with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. Researchers will measure pain, mood, and inflammation markers in 60 veterans. The goal is to use this information to create an exercise program t…

This study looks at whether a computer-based working memory training program can help veterans with PTSD learn to overcome fear. About 120 veterans will do memory exercises or a sham version for 4 weeks, then have brain scans and fear tests. The goal is to see if the training cha…

Many people who survive a stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) develop long-term memory and thinking problems, similar to dementia. This study tests whether a computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program can help improve these issues. Researchers will enroll 160 ICU survivors…

This study is creating a program and assessment tools to help veterans with mental illness or substance use disorders adjust to life after prison. Researchers will work with 20 veterans who have been out of prison for up to 36 months. The goal is to improve their mental health an…

This study looks at whether walking backward can help stroke survivors improve their walking and balance. Researchers will test two different training schedules (18 vs. 27 sessions) in 48 Veterans who had a stroke. They will also use brain scans to see how the brain changes with …

This study looks at why many Veterans with Parkinson's disease have trouble with balance and falls. Researchers will use wearable sensors to track movement and record brain signals from deep brain stimulation electrodes. The goal is to better understand the brain pathways involve…

This study looks at why central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs in people with heart failure or those taking opioid painkillers. The goal is to find better ways to treat CSA by understanding the body's breathing control systems. Researchers will test a combination of positive airway pre…

This study uses a special X-ray technique to see how the bone and skin move inside a prosthetic leg socket when people walk. The goal is to understand what causes poor fit, skin problems, and pain. About 21 adults with a below-knee amputation will walk on a treadmill under two di…

This study looks at whether older adults (75+) who have had precancerous polyps removed still benefit from repeat colonoscopies. Researchers will analyze data from 130,000 Veterans to compare cancer risks and gather opinions from patients and doctors. The goal is to create cleare…