Va Office Of Research And Development

This study tests a drug called pembrolizumab in 40 men with advanced prostate cancer that has stopped responding to hormone therapy. The cancer must have specific genetic changes (mismatch repair deficiency or CDK12 inactivation). The goal is to see if the drug can shrink tumors …

This early-phase study tests whether levodopa, a drug used for Parkinson's disease, can slow the development of blood vessel changes in the eyes of people with diabetes. Researchers will measure the retina's electrical activity and use eye imaging to track changes over time. The …

This study tests a simple program called LOCK to help staff in Veterans nursing homes work together to prevent falls. Over 10,000 Veterans will take part across multiple homes. The program focuses on quick team huddles and learning from what works, with the goal of making care sa…

This study tests whether a special probe that detects blood flow can help prevent delayed bleeding after colon polyp removal. It includes 180 high-risk patients who take blood thinners or have large polyps. Half will get standard care, and half will get the probe-guided treatment…

This study tests whether a special type of counseling, called motivational interviewing, can lower the risk of suicide attempts and reduce suicidal thoughts in veterans. About 470 veterans at high risk for suicide will be randomly assigned to receive either this counseling or sta…

This study looks at whether adding work-focused programs to standard substance use treatment helps Veterans stay sober and feel better overall. About 100 Veterans in early recovery will either get work therapy or standard care alone. Researchers will track sobriety, mental health…

This study looks at whether simvastatin, a drug typically used for cholesterol, can help prevent serious liver problems in veterans with early-stage cirrhosis (scarred liver but no symptoms yet). About 142 participants will receive either simvastatin or a placebo to see if it red…

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 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 tests a short therapy called ACT for Life for veterans hospitalized due to suicide risk. The goal is to reduce future suicide attempts and help veterans build a life they find worth living. About 278 veterans will take part, receiving either ACT for Life or a standard …

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 looks at whether a progressive exercise program can reduce ongoing pain in veteran lung cancer survivors. Nine participants aged 60-80 who had surgery or chemotherapy at least 6 months ago will take part. The goal is to see if exercise can improve pain, fitness, and st…

This study tests a robotic knee exoskeleton (Keeogo) in 32 veterans with knee osteoarthritis to see if it improves walking, stair climbing, and daily movements while reducing pain. Participants use the device in a lab and compare it to their standard knee brace. The goal is to fi…

This study tests whether a stellate ganglion block (a numbing injection near the neck) can quickly and safely reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans. About 410 veterans with chronic PTSD who have not fully responded to standard treatments will receive either the real injection or a sha…

This study tests whether a type of talk therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can improve sleep and daily functioning in veterans who have both psychosis and insomnia. About 152 veterans are taking part. The goal is to see if CBT-I helps them sleep bett…

This study looks at whether regular exercise can help Veterans with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) feel less tired and breathe easier during physical activity. Researchers will measure blood flow in the legs during exercise to understand how nerves from wo…

This small pilot study tests whether a home-based exercise program can safely improve mobility and function in veterans aged 50 and older who have recently healed from a diabetic foot ulcer. The goal is to increase strength, blood flow, and blood sugar control without causing the…

This study tests whether adding a gentle electrical stimulation (NMES) to hip-strengthening exercises can improve balance and reduce falls in older veterans at high risk. About 81 veterans aged 55+ will receive the stimulation during resistance training. The goal is to see if thi…

This study tests whether stimulating a nerve in the ear or neck can improve sleep in veterans with PTSD. About 87 veterans will try two different stimulation spots to see which works better. The goal is to find a new, non-drug way to help people fall and stay asleep.

This study tests a new approach to treat ventricular tachycardia, a fast and dangerous heart rhythm. Instead of triggering the rhythm during the procedure, doctors will target only areas with slow electrical signals. The goal is to make the ablation safer and more effective for 3…

This pilot study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) can reduce alcohol cravings in veterans who also have mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Twenty veter…

This study tests whether bright light therapy can improve sleep, thinking, and physical strength in older veterans. About 43 veterans aged 65 and older will use a special light at home. The goal is to see if this simple treatment can help them stay healthier and more independent.

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 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 follows about 817 Iraq War veterans over time to see how war affects mental health, stress, thinking skills, and daily life years later. Participants complete surveys and phone interviews, and some do in-person thinking tests. The goal is to understand long-term patter…

This study tests a new type of therapy designed to help veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) improve their storytelling and everyday communication. About 34 veterans with mild to moderate cognitive issues will try the treatment, and researchers will measure how well it work…

This study aimed to see if MRI scans could show changes in spinal discs after physical therapy and predict which Veterans with back pain would improve. It was withdrawn before enrolling any participants. The goal was to help understand why physical therapy works for some but not …

This study looks at whether an educational video and motivational coaching sessions can help more veterans start obesity treatments like weight management programs, medications, or surgery. About 440 veterans who are overweight or have obesity will take part. The goal is to see i…

This study looks at whether a simple brain test can predict how well stroke survivors recover from spatial neglect—a condition where people have trouble noticing things on one side. Researchers will follow 45 Veterans for 6 months to see if the biomarker matches real-world improv…

This study looks at how overcontrolled thinking—like needing perfection and rigid rules—affects social bonds and suicide risk in veterans who have faced trauma. Researchers will use brain scans (fMRI) and online surveys to measure social functioning. The goal is to see if these m…

This study aimed to create a self-management program to help veterans with a mild form of spinal cord injury (AIS D) improve their mental well-being. Despite having better physical outcomes, these veterans often struggle with psychological health. The study was withdrawn before e…

This study looks at ways to improve primary care for Veterans who are at high risk of being hospitalized. Researchers are testing new care practices to help care teams provide more personalized and effective care. The goal is to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and improve overa…

This study tests a new decision aid that helps VA medical centers pick the best strategies to increase liver cancer screening in patients with cirrhosis. About 8,020 veterans and VA staff will take part. The goal is to see if the tool helps more patients get the right screening a…

This study looks at why veterans aged 50 and older feel tired and weak after a COVID-19 infection. Researchers want to understand what causes this fatigue and test if a simple, home-based exercise program is safe and doable. The goal is to learn more about the condition, not to c…

This study looks at how to help VA medical centers offer virtual programs that prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems in women Veterans. It involves 20 VA sites across four regions. The goal is to see which strategies work best to get women to sign up and stay…

This study looks at 65 veterans with PTSD who use cannabis heavily. Researchers want to see if reducing cannabis use helps with daily activities, mental health, and quality of life. No treatment or drug is given—just observation and surveys over time.

This study looks at whether a structured, time-limited case management approach called Critical Time Intervention (CTI) can help homeless veterans stay housed. About 150 veterans across 32 VA programs will take part. Researchers will measure how well the program is followed, its …

This study looks at how to get a team-based depression service called HITIDES into VA clinics that treat veterans with HIV. The service has been shown to work better than usual care and save money, but no clinics currently offer it. Researchers will compare two approaches to help…

This study looks at whether two easy tests—checking how blood pressure changes when standing and how the eye reacts to light—can predict if a person with PTSD will respond to the medication prazosin. It involves 87 U.S. military veterans with PTSD. The goal is to personalize trea…

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 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 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 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…