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Comparing Telehealth to In-person a Combined Metacognitive Training in Veterans With mTBI/PTSD

Comparing the Effectiveness of Telehealth to In-person Delivery of a Combined Metacognitive and Attention Training in Veterans With mTBI/PTSD

Who can join

Ages 30 to 55 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Veterans who have served in OIF-OEF-OND and have been diagnosed with both a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the joint criteria of the Veterans' Affairs and Department of Defense (VA \& DoD)
* Latest mTBI occurred at least 6 months prior to study enrollment
* Attention deficit of 1.5 SD below the mean of the RBANS attention index
* Family member or friend that is willing to complete a questionnaire
* Access to a home computer, or smartphone with internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of pre-morbid learning disability
* History of psychiatric diagnosis sufficiently severe to have resulted in inpatient hospitalization
* Neurological disease unrelated to TBI (seizure disorder, stroke)
* Score \< 90 on National Adult Reading Test (NART)
* Failure of validity testing on the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM)
* Reported alcohol or substance abuse within the past year
* Reported involvement in current litigation related to injury
* Recent change of medications for seizures, depression, or memory
* Currently enrolled in other cognitive therapy that cannot be discontinued
* Does not speak English fluently
* Not competent to provide consent (also, not able to demonstrate understanding of expectations of study and potential risks of participation).
* Uncontrolled, acute medical or psychiatric condition as indicated by the participant or observed by the research team member that would make it unsafe to participate in the research activities, i.e. precautions for active homicidal/suicidal intent, active psychosis, or acute symptoms requiring immediate medical attention

About the study

Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly experience cognitive impairments including attention and executive function deficits that interfere with their ability to engage in productive personal and social activities. Of the limited interventions available to address cognition, none rigorously train attention beyond strategy management. This study will evaluate an innovatively combined strategy training known as Goal Management Training plus computerized attention training in Veterans with mTBI/PTSD. Preliminary testing suggests an effectiveness in improving problem solving, attention and functional tasks in a small number of Veterans. Considering these promising results, cost effectiveness, and the demand for access to care from Veterans living in rural areas, a Randomized Controlled Trial will determine and compare the effects of this treatment, administered either in-person or via telehealth, on executive function, attention, other aspects of cognition and real life functional tasks.

What is being tested

• Goal Management Training plus Attention Training (behavioral)
• Brain Health Workshop and National Geographic Movies (behavioral)

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Participants: 63 · Started: Nov 1, 2022

Contact the study team

• Margaret H McCallum · Phone: (352) 376-1611

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05380050

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Brain Injuries
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 29, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.