Va Office Of Research And Development

This study is testing if a program that uses game-like challenges can help Veterans with obesity and high blood pressure become more physically active. Over 700 Veterans will use wearable devices to track their steps while participating in either team-based or competitive game fo…

This study is testing whether a testosterone gel can improve bone strength and reduce fracture risk in men who have both type 2 diabetes and low testosterone. Researchers are enrolling 92 male veterans to receive either the testosterone gel or a placebo gel for one year. The main…

This study tests whether a team-based approach improves care for frail Veterans having elective surgery. Experts from surgery, anesthesia, geriatrics, and other fields will meet to create personalized care plans for each patient. The goal is to reduce deaths, hospital readmission…

This study aims to create a shorter, more effective version of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Veterans with PTSD. Many Veterans drop out of the standard 12-session treatment due to time constraints and other barriers. Researchers are testing which therapy components work …

This VA study is testing two different approaches to improve care for veterans at high risk of hospitalization. The program helps primary care teams provide more comprehensive assessments and medication coaching to better manage veterans' multiple health conditions. The goal is t…

This study is developing and testing a digital self-monitoring program to help veterans start and continue depression treatment after being referred for mental health care. Researchers are working with 47 veterans to see if tracking symptoms and receiving supportive messages thro…

This study is testing whether simvastatin, a medication typically used to lower cholesterol, can help prevent liver failure in U.S. veterans who have early-stage cirrhosis (scarred liver) but no symptoms yet. About 142 participants with a high risk of their liver disease worsenin…

This study aimed to see if a dietary supplement called PB125 could help Veterans with peripheral artery disease (PAD) exercise more effectively. PAD causes leg pain when walking. Researchers wanted to test if the supplement, which targets body stress and inflammation, could impro…

This study aims to find the best way to get proven treatments to Veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness (GWI). Researchers are comparing two care models: one where specialists work closely with a Veteran's local primary care team, and another where specialists give a one-time r…

This study is testing a structured support program called Critical Time Intervention (CTI) at 32 VA sites across the country. The program provides focused case management for six months to veterans transitioning out of homelessness. Researchers aim to see if this approach helps v…

This study is testing two different ways to get a proven depression care service into clinics that treat Veterans living with HIV. The service, which uses a team-based approach, has been shown to improve depression symptoms and save money, but it's not yet widely available. Resea…

This study is testing whether adding work-focused therapy programs to standard substance use treatment helps Veterans stay sober and function better in early recovery. Researchers are comparing Veterans who get referred to these work programs with those who receive treatment as u…

This study is testing whether adding intermittent fasting to a weight management program helps veterans keep weight off long-term after they've lost it. Researchers want to see if this eating pattern is better than standard programs at preventing weight regain, which is a common …

This study is testing whether a smartphone app called 'Stand Down' can help Veterans who drink hazardously to reduce their alcohol use. It will compare the app used alone to the app used with phone support from a trained Peer Specialist, and to the usual care Veterans receive. Th…

This study tests a program designed to help family members encourage Veterans with PTSD to seek mental health care. It combines phone coaching with a web-based training course for family members. The goal is to see if this combined approach is more effective at getting Veterans i…

This study is testing a new approach for treating dangerous, fast heart rhythms called ventricular tachycardia. Doctors are comparing a new method that maps and treats the problem heart tissue without first having to trigger the dangerous rhythm, against the standard procedure. T…

This study is testing a teamwork program called LOCK to reduce dangerous falls in state-run nursing homes for veterans. Over 10,000 veteran residents and their care staff across eight homes will participate. The program teaches staff to hold quick daily huddles to identify reside…

This study is testing if a specific type of partnered dance exercise is better than regular walking for people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers want to see if dance can reduce troublesome 'off-times' when medications wear off, improve memory and thinking, and potentially pro…

This study is testing if a special coaching program can help homeless veterans stay healthier and reduce their frequent need for emergency room visits and hospital stays. It involves 177 veterans who will work with trained peer coaches using a 'Whole Health' approach that focuses…

This study is testing whether adding a simple mental exercise called WOOP can help Veterans with obesity lose more weight. WOOP is a 4-step technique that uses positive imagery to build motivation. Researchers are comparing the standard VA telephone weight-loss program (MOVE!) to…

This project aims to help rural VA hospitals use antibiotics more carefully to fight drug-resistant infections. It connects local doctors with infectious disease experts via video calls to review cases. The study will test if adding reports on a hospital's overall antibiotic use …

This study is testing a 12-week home exercise program for veterans who have recently healed from a diabetic foot ulcer. The goal is to see if the program is practical and acceptable, and if it can safely improve walking speed, strength, and overall mobility without causing the ul…

This large study is testing whether a drug called pentoxifylline, already used for other conditions, can help protect the kidneys of veterans with type 2 diabetes. The goal is to see if adding this drug to standard care can slow the progression to kidney failure (requiring dialys…

This study is testing if a special legal-medical partnership is better than standard legal help for veterans facing eviction or housing problems. Researchers are comparing the two approaches for 300 low-income veterans with mental health conditions to see which one better helps t…

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique can help reduce alcohol cravings in veterans. The treatment, called repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), uses magnetic pulses to target specific brain areas. The goal is to see if this approa…

This study is testing a new wireless system to monitor blood sugar in hospitalized veterans with type 2 diabetes who are at risk for dangerously low levels. The system sends glucose readings from the patient's bedside directly to the nurses' station, allowing for faster detection…

This study tests whether an educational video and follow-up phone sessions can help veterans start proven weight loss treatments. It involves 440 veterans who are overweight or have obesity but aren't currently in a weight management program. The goal is to see if this simple edu…

This study is testing whether adding a special therapy skills group to standard VA mental health care helps veterans at high risk of suicide. The group teaches skills to manage overwhelming emotions, which are a major risk factor. Researchers are comparing veterans who get the ex…

This study is testing whether adding a high-protein drink to strength training helps stroke survivors rebuild lost muscle and improve their mobility better than strength training alone. Researchers are comparing two groups of stroke survivors over 12 weeks: one does strength trai…

This study is testing a new, faster way to get veterans evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea. It compares skipping the initial doctor's appointment and going straight to a home sleep test against the traditional clinic visit pathway. The goal is to see if the faster method gets …

This study is testing if the medication clopidogrel is better than aspirin at preventing new 'silent' brain infarctions (silent strokes) in people who have recently had a stroke or mini-stroke (TIA). Silent strokes cause brain damage seen on scans but don't cause obvious symptoms…

This study aimed to test whether using heart scans to guide treatment could reduce heart attacks and deaths in veterans with severe leg artery disease who recently had leg surgery. It planned to compare heart scans plus medication against medication alone. The trial was withdrawn…

This study is testing a weight management program designed for people with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The program uses a smartphone app to provide guidance and pairs users with a peer coach for weekly phone support. The goal is to see if this…

This study is testing whether an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab can help control advanced prostate cancer that has stopped responding to standard hormone treatments. It is specifically for veterans whose cancer has one of two rare genetic features. The goal is to see if …

This study is testing a simple, non-invasive method to check blood vessel health in aging Veterans. Researchers move a participant's leg gently while using an ultrasound to measure blood flow, which indicates how well the blood vessels are working. The goal is to see if this test…

This study is testing a new, easy-to-use EEG (brain wave recording) headset designed to improve access to epilepsy diagnosis for Veterans living in rural areas. The dry-electrode headset doesn't require a specialist to operate and could be used in local clinics as part of a teleh…

This study tested whether automatically referring smokers to quit-smoking programs (unless they decline) works better than asking them to actively sign up. Researchers compared these two approaches among 1,365 veterans at VA clinics in New York. The goal was to see which method g…

This study tests whether using a special probe to detect blood flow in ulcers left after colon polyp removal can help prevent delayed bleeding. High-risk patients (those on blood thinners or with large ulcers) were randomly assigned to receive either this monitoring with targeted…

This VA study aims to improve how 20 VA medical centers provide virtual health programs to women Veterans. It's testing two different support strategies to help these facilities successfully offer proven programs for preventing heart disease, diabetes, and depression. The goal is…

This study is testing a program to help Veterans who smoke and have a newly found lung nodule quit smoking. The program sends a personal letter and follows up with automated phone calls to connect them to free quitting resources like counseling and medications. Researchers want t…

This large study aims to find out which screening method is better at preventing deaths from colorectal cancer: a one-time colonoscopy or an annual at-home stool test (FIT). It enrolled over 50,000 veterans aged 50-75 who were due for routine screening. Researchers will follow pa…

This study is testing a new therapy program for military veterans at risk for suicide and their partners. The program combines suicide prevention techniques with couples counseling to improve communication and relationship support. Researchers are comparing this 11-week couples p…

This study is testing whether a supervised exercise program delivered through video calls can help veterans with peripheral artery disease (PAD) walk farther and improve their quality of life. The program aims to overcome barriers for veterans, especially those in rural areas, wh…

This study is testing a new speech therapy program designed to help Veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) improve their ability to tell stories and have meaningful conversations. The therapy focuses on both the content and organization of personal stories. Researchers want…

This study is testing if a common physical therapy tool—electrical muscle stimulation—can help prevent dangerous falls in older veterans. Researchers are adding the stimulation to a standard balance and strength training program to see if it strengthens weak hip muscles better th…

This study aims to create a new group therapy program specifically for combat veterans dealing with moral injury—the psychological distress that can follow events that violate one's moral beliefs during war. Researchers are interviewing veterans and clinicians to design a therapy…

This study is testing whether MitoQ, an antioxidant dietary supplement, can reduce fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis. Forty-five participants with MS and significant fatigue will take either MitoQ or a placebo pill daily for twelve weeks. Researchers will compare fatigue …

This study is testing whether a stellate ganglion block (SGB), a quick injection in the neck, can safely reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. It involves 410 veterans with chronic PTSD who haven't fully benefited from standard therapies. Researche…

This study is testing a robotic knee support device called Keeogo to see if it helps veterans with knee osteoarthritis move better and with less pain compared to their standard knee braces. Researchers will measure how well participants walk, climb stairs, and perform daily tasks…

This study is testing a new device designed to help people walk better after a stroke. The device is a motorized leg brace combined with gentle electrical muscle stimulation. Researchers are working with a small group of Veterans to see if this 'smart' system can make walking saf…

This study aimed to create and test a new self-management program to improve the mental well-being and life satisfaction of military veterans with a specific, less severe type of spinal cord injury (AIS D). The program was designed to be delivered via video telehealth and focused…

This study is testing whether gentle electrical stimulation of nerves in the ear or neck can improve sleep quality for veterans with PTSD. Researchers are comparing two different stimulation locations to see which might help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The s…

This study is testing whether a special job placement and support program helps Veterans recovering from opioid addiction find and keep meaningful work. Researchers will compare this program to standard vocational rehab to see which leads to more weeks of employment. They also wa…

This study is testing whether sending caring postcards from fellow Veterans can help reduce loneliness and improve mental health. Researchers are enrolling about 920 Veterans aged 50 and older who have felt isolated and missed medical appointments. Participants will receive up to…

This study is testing whether a specific talk therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can help Veterans who have both psychosis and trouble sleeping. The goal is to see if improving their sleep also helps their overall mental and physical health and daily functioning. Researchers are compar…

This study is developing and testing a new career counseling program called 'Purposeful Pathways' for veterans with mental health conditions who are unemployed or struggling at work. The goal is to help them clarify career goals, build confidence, and find jobs that are a better …

This study is testing if a 12-week supervised exercise program can help Veterans with a specific type of heart failure (HFpEF) feel less tired and be able to do more physical activity. Researchers are looking at how nerves in the legs might contribute to exercise problems and if …

This study is testing if daily bright light therapy can help older veterans. The goal is to see if this simple, at-home treatment can improve sleep quality, reduce physical frailty, and support better thinking skills. Researchers are enrolling 43 veterans aged 65 and older to see…

This study is testing a 5-week brain training program called GOALS to see if it helps veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The program aims to improve attention, memory, emotional control, and daily functioning. Researchers will also use brain scans to see if…

This VA study is testing whether magnetic stimulation of the brain can help reduce the severe fatigue many people experience after a stroke. The trial will involve 60 stroke survivors who have been dealing with fatigue for over 6 months. Researchers will use a technique called re…

This study tests a therapist-assisted self-management program for veterans who have completed trauma-focused therapy for PTSD and shown improvement. The program aims to help veterans maintain their symptom reductions, build confidence in managing symptoms independently, and reduc…

This large VA study aims to find out if the medications trazodone or eszopiclone can help reduce insomnia in Veterans with PTSD. It enrolled 673 participants to compare these two common sleep aids against a placebo over 12 weeks. The goal is to provide better, evidence-based trea…

This study is testing whether connecting veterans who have multiple chronic health conditions with trained veteran peer coaches over video calls can improve their quality of life. Nearly 300 veterans are randomly assigned to receive this year-long coaching or their usual care. Th…

This study is testing a special group exercise program called PLIÉ for Veterans with dementia living in VA long-term care centers. The program aims to help residents improve their physical function, mood, and social engagement. Researchers are also training staff to lead these cl…

This study is testing whether a self-administered acupressure program can help veterans manage chronic low back pain. About 300 veterans will learn the technique and half will use a tablet app to guide daily sessions for 6 weeks, while the other half waits. Researchers will measu…

This study is testing a special wheelchair that allows people with spinal cord injuries to stand up and move around while standing. The goal is to see if this new design helps veterans stand more often in their daily lives, which could reduce health problems caused by sitting too…

This study is testing whether a supervised exercise program can help reduce chronic nerve pain in older Veterans who have survived lung cancer. The goal is to see if physical activity can provide relief without relying as much on strong pain medications like opioids. Researchers …

This study aimed to learn how physical therapy affects the health of spinal discs in people with chronic back pain. Researchers planned to use special MRI scans to measure changes in disc nutrition and health before and after a 6-week physical therapy program. The goal was to see…

This VA study aims to understand if exercise might help slow vision loss in aging Veterans. Researchers are measuring vision and blood markers in 14 participants before, during, and after a 12-week exercise program. The goal is to find biological signs that could predict who migh…

This study tests whether providing comprehensive education about kidney disease and treatment options helps veterans make more informed choices about dialysis. It compares veterans who receive this special education to those who get standard care, looking at whether more choose a…

This study is testing a new computer-based decision tool designed to help hospitals choose the best methods to improve liver cancer screening for veterans with cirrhosis. It will compare this new tool against the current expert-based method across 20 VA medical centers. The goal …

This study is testing a program designed to help doctors follow established guidelines when ordering imaging scans for prostate cancer patients. The program provides doctors with feedback on their scan ordering patterns compared to peers and guidelines, along with education. Rese…

This study aims to understand why some people with PTSD respond to certain treatments while others don't. Researchers are testing whether simple blood pressure and eye reflex measurements can predict which veterans will benefit from the medication prazosin. The study also examine…

This study aims to find a biological marker (like a specific pattern on a brain scan) that can predict which stroke survivors with spatial neglect will respond best to therapy. Researchers are enrolling 45 people who had a stroke 1-8 months ago to track their recovery over 6 mont…

This study aims to find brain scan patterns that predict whether veterans with hard-to-treat depression will respond to magnetic stimulation therapy. Researchers will use EEG brain scans taken before and during treatment to identify biomarkers that show who is likely to improve. …

This study is testing whether a 12-week aerobic exercise program can improve blood flow and blood vessel function in the brains of older veterans. Researchers are comparing a spin class group to a stretching group to see if exercise causes measurable changes in brain health. The …

This study aims to understand how exposure to air pollution during military deployment affects lung health in Veterans. Researchers will enroll up to 6,200 Veterans who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and nearby countries after 9/11. They will measure lung function and link it to de…

This study aims to understand why veterans with Long COVID experience such severe and persistent fatigue. Researchers are measuring muscle function and oxygen use to find the cause. They are also testing if a simple, once-a-week home exercise program is safe and feasible for this…

This study aims to understand the long-term mental health effects of serving in the Iraq War. Researchers are following a group of about 800 military veterans to track changes in stress, mood, and thinking skills over several years. The study involves surveys, phone interviews, a…