Can chaplains help heal moral wounds in veterans? small study aims to find out

NCT ID NCT07579143

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tests whether VA chaplains can deliver a program to help veterans struggling with moral injury—feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation after traumatic events. Twenty veterans receiving mental health care will take part in up to 12 chaplain-led sessions focused on forgiveness and reconnecting with others. The main goal is to see if the program is practical and acceptable, not yet to prove it works.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

behavioral intervention: chaplain-led sessions focused on forgiveness and community connection

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a new way to help veterans with moral injury by combining mental health care with chaplain support.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study with only 20 participants and no comparison group, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention may not reduce symptoms significantly.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

post-traumatic stress disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System

    COMPLETED

    Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114, United States

  • VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

    RECRUITING

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15240, United States

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact