Guitars for Vets: Evaluating Psychological Outcome of a Novel Music Therapy

NCT01229904 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PPO 10-075
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Post traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition for persons who have served in the Armed services during combat or deployment. Treatments include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other social support mechanisms. Our aim in this project is to critically evaluate the effects of a novel music therapy intervention on the symptoms of PTSD. Estimates developed by the Global Burden of Disease Study reveal that mental illness accounts for over 15% of the burden of disease on health and productivity in established market economies--more than the disease burden caused by all cancers combined.\[1\] Perhaps no industry has had the burden of mental disorders affect its labor force as severely and pervasively as the Armed Forces. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common sequelae of severe emotional trauma that is often associated with combat exposure. The condition has been well documented in returning soldiers and is characterized by recurrent and distressing thoughts and feelings related to the trauma, persistent avoidance of reminders of the trauma, and increased arousal that disturbs sleep, concentration, and the ability to modulate anger. Persons suffering from PTSD often have difficulty relating to others, leading to loneliness and isolation, which further intensifies their psychiatric symptoms. Current treatment options for PTSD include psychotherapy, medication management, or a combination of those. Although these treatments have been shown to be effective, returning soldiers are often hesitant to seek and adhere to mental health therapies. PTSD-related avoidance, including difficulty trusting, may serve as a barrier to seeking or completing treatments. Furthermore, some PTSD medications have unacceptable side-effects in some individuals. The need is great, therefore, to identify and promote safe, effective strategies for self-management of PTSD among Veterans.

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Post traumatic stress disorder Checklist (PCL)

  after 6 weeks of intervention with music training

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• depression, social participation, wellness

  after 6 weeks of intervention with music training

Study Arms (1)

Arm 1

EXPERIMENTAL

patients with PTSD are randomized to either entering immediately a 6 week treatment with music therapy, or being in the delay group that enters the treatment arm after 6 weeks. This is a delayed entry RCT.

Behavioral: music therapy with guitar lessons

Interventions

music therapy with guitar lessons BEHAVIORAL

The treatment is a 6 week music therapy intervention. Subjects receive 1 hour individual lesson and a 1 hour group session weekly for 6 weeks. they are given a guitar following completion of the study

Arm 1

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Veterans in the Zablocki VA catchment area with symptomatic post traumatic stress disorder

You may not qualify if:

• Current involvement in intense treatment for a psychiatric illness or substance abuse.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• US Department of Veterans Affairs: lead

Study Sites (1)

Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53295-1000, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Interventions

Music Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensory Art Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Timothy R. Dillingham, MD MS

  Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: FED
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 26, 2010
• First Posted: October 28, 2010
• Study Start: October 1, 2010
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2011
• Study Completion: December 1, 2011
• Last Updated: April 7, 2015

Record last verified: 2011-07

Locations

US (1)