Increasing Activity for Veterans With PTSD (I CARE for Vet)

February 11, 2025 updated by: VA Office of Research and Development

I CARE for Vets: InCreasing Activity & REcovery for Veterans With PTSD

The proposed work will be a key step forward in fulfilling the mission of VA RR&D to restore function and enable social reintegration for Veterans. Development of an intervention to increase physical activity may improve physical functioning for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), thus addressing an important gap in existing care. If demonstrated to be efficacious in a future randomized trial, this intervention could be implemented throughout VHA to improve quality of life and enable a full recovery for many Veterans with PTSD. Results from the proposed work may also advance our understanding of how to optimally incorporate mobile health technology (mHealth) with more traditional types of patient contacts, such as in-person visits and telephone calls. Effective use of mHealth may offer greater flexibility for VHA clinics looking to implement new programs. Incorporation of mHealth may also increase access to clinical services for Veterans who reside far from VHA facilities.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have poor physical functioning and there are no existing interventions that effectively address this problem. Our long-term goal is to develop and implement effective interventions to improve physical functioning and reduce risk for adverse health outcomes for Veterans with PTSD. The overall objectives of the proposed project are to develop and pilot test a novel intervention aimed at initiating and maintaining higher levels of physical activity for Veterans with PTSD. This new intervention will address attitudinal and behavioral barriers to increasing physical activity for Veterans with PTSD. Particularly relevant barriers for those with PTSD may include low perceived behavioral control for making positive long-term lifestyle changes and personal attitudes about the harms (vs. benefits) of physical activity.

The proposed work will meet two specific aims: 1) Adapt graded exercise therapy (GET) and incorporate motivational interviewing and mobile health technology (mHealth) to increase physical activity for Veterans with PTSD; and 2) conduct a pilot study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention for a future randomized controlled trial. To achieve Aim 1, we will develop treatment manuals, training procedures for interventionists, and processes for assessment of intervention fidelity. The intervention will use GET to increase perceived behavioral control by enhancing knowledge about appropriate activities and helping participants set appropriate and attainable daily goals for physical activity. We will also incorporate motivational interviewing techniques and mHealth to enhance positive personal attitudes about physical activity. We will work with our Veteran Engagement Panel for PTSD to refine topics and communication materials. In Aim 2, we will enroll 3 groups of 6-8 participants (18-24 total) and use a concurrent mixed-methods approach to rapidly assess feasibility and acceptability. Quantitative measures will include recruitment (proportion enrolled out of total eligible); attendance (proportion who attend 75% of in-person visits); and retention (proportion who complete post-intervention data collection). Qualitative assessment will consist of semi-structured interviews on acceptability of intervention components (eg, format and topics of in-person visits, usability of mHealth), and barriers and facilitators to attendance. At baseline, during, and post-intervention, we will also measure overall and physical functioning, and collect data on other clinical variables (PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, pain, fatigue, and sleep quality) to inform a future effectiveness trial.

The proposed work is innovative because it is a novel combination of GET, motivational interviewing, and mHealth to increase physical activity. It will also be the first intervention to focus on changing physical activity as a means to improving physical functioning for individuals with PTSD. Successful experiences with this program may also help participants build confidence about their general ability to make positive changes related to health, thus increasing the likelihood they will engage in (and adhere to) mental health treatments. If such synergy is ultimately demonstrated, it will open a new direction for VA RR&D and VHA clinical care by indicating that interventions focusing on physical functioning should be more closely integrated with mental health services. Additionally, this project will be one of the first to collaborate with our Veteran Engagement Panel on PTSD research. The format of our panel is adapted from and builds upon previous models of patient stakeholder engagement. Our model addresses many of the barriers to effective stakeholder engagement, including challenges to timely recruitment of patients with relevant experiences, and lack of facilitation expertise among investigators. Completion of this project will help establish the utility of our model of Veteran stakeholder engagement for rapidly developing effective interventions with improved feasibility and acceptability. Thus, this work will enable incorporation of Veteran engagement in future VA research projects.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
24

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Minnesota
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55417
        • Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 3 on Primary Care PTSD Screen (PC-PTSD-5)
  • "yes" to 3 questions about health-related functional limitations from the Veterans RAND 36-Item Health Survey
  • has device and internet access for participating in meetings by videoconference

Exclusion Criteria:

  • active suicidal ideation or psychosis
  • medical contraindication to participation (eg, complete paraplegia)
  • self-reported impairments in 2 or more activities of daily living
  • will be permanently moving out of area in next 4 months
  • schizophrenia
  • acute mental health crisis within the past 3 months (requiring an ED visit or hospitalization)
  • routinely completing 150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity per week

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Physical Activity
In-person, virtual conferencing, and telephone sessions, wearable device for daily feedback and motivation
Behavioral: Physical Activity
In-person, virtual conferencing, and telephone sessions, wearable device for daily feedback and motivation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Recruitment
Time Frame: 2 months
total participants enrolled in intervention (out of total patients identified as eligible)
2 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total # Participants Completing Acceptability Interviews
Time Frame: 4 months
Number of participants who completed interviews on usability of wearable device; barriers and facilitators to attendance
4 months
Attendance
Time Frame: 1 month
Number of participants who attended 75% of session visits (3 out of 4 group sessions; 5 of 7 individual follow-up calls)
1 month
Retention
Time Frame: 4 months
Number of participants who complete post-intervention assessments at 4 months follow-up
4 months

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fatigue
Time Frame: 4 months
Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) fatigue 4-item short form, range 0-100 (standardized), higher is more fatigue
4 months
PTSD Symptoms
Time Frame: 4 months
PTSD Checklist for DSM V; range 0-80, higher is more symptoms (worse)
4 months
Depressive Symptoms
Time Frame: 4 months
Patient health questionnaire 8-item; range 0-24, higher is more symptoms (worse)
4 months
Pain Intensity and Interference
Time Frame: 4 months
PEG (brief 3-item scale on intensity and interference), range 0-10, higher is more pain/interference
4 months
Sleep-related Impairment
Time Frame: 4 months
PROMIS sleep measure, standardized T score (0-100), higher is poorer sleep
4 months
6 Minute Walk
Time Frame: 4 months
distance walked in 6 min (in meters)
4 months
Sit to Stand
Time Frame: 4 months
# of sit-to-stands completed in 30 seconds
4 months
Physical Activity
Time Frame: 2 months
Activity tracking (wearable device), number of days meeting activity goal (per week) at 8 weeks
2 months
Physical Functioning
Time Frame: 4 months
Physical Component Score of Veterans Short-Form 36 item survey; range 0-100 (standardized), higher is better functioning
4 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
VA Office of Research and Development

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Wei Denise Duan-Porter, MD PhD, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 2, 2021

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 28, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 28, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 29, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 6, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 12, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 11, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • D3302-P
  • RX003302-01A1 (Other Grant/Funding Number: VA RR&D)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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