RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05478759

Innovative Multimodal and Attention Training to Improve Emotion Communication in Veterans With TBI and PTSD

Sponsor

VA Office of Research and Development

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Dec 1, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Brain Injury Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Summary

Poor emotion recognition has been associated with poor quality of interpersonal relationships, loss of employment, behavioral problems, reduced social reintegration, social isolation and even suicide. Deficits in emotion recognition are common in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but these deficits have not been well studied in Veterans with both mild TBI (mTBI) and PTSD. Currently there are no interventions for emotion recognition in Veterans with mTBI and PTSD, and interventions for severe TBI have lacked training of both facial and vocal emotion recognition. In a preliminary study of an innovative combination of facial and vocal modalities, a multimodal affect recognition training (MMART) showed promise but lacked attention training that is an essential component in recognizing emotions in our daily lives. Given the need to improve relationships and productivity in Veterans with mTBI and PTSD, a study is needed to determine the effectiveness of a MMART combined with attention training.

Eligibility

Min Age: 25 YearsMax Age: 50 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing a new brain training program designed to help veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and PTSD better recognize and communicate emotions. The training targets attention and emotion-reading skills that can be impaired after brain injury and trauma. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a veteran diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and PTSD - You have difficulty recognizing emotions in others - You have attention difficulties - Your vision and hearing are within normal limits (with correction if needed) - You are fluent in English **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder before your injury - You have a chronic medical or neurological condition that would interfere with participation Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALMultimodal affect recognition training

8 session, trains participants to recognize expression of emotion from a variety of stimuli, including dynamic stimuli (e.g., video instead of still pictures) and it employs both facial and vocal examples of emotion expression.

BEHAVIORALAttention Training

computerized attention drill training

BEHAVIORALBrain Health Workshop

an education presentation on brain function and cognitive principles of learning with homework and quizzes on information covered.

BEHAVIORALNational Geographic Movies

participant will watch movies and answer questions after