Mission Reconnect: Promoting Resilience and Reintegration of Post-Deployment Veterans and Their Families

NCT01680419 | Completed Phase 2

• 1 other identifier: R44MH088063-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 320
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

An urgent and growing need exists for interventions that support the long-term adjustment and mental health needs of OIF/OEF veterans and their relationship partners after the return from deployment. This project will complete production of a multimedia intervention program for autonomous use, delivered by Internet and mobile app technology, that teaches couples selected mind/body interventions and massage techniques to promote stress reduction, compassion, resiliency and relationship re-integration. A four-armed randomized trial will evaluate mental health outcomes as a free-standing program and as complementary to a current standard of care structured group program.

Conditions

Stress; Depression; PTSD; Sleep; Compassion

Keywords

Veterans; Reintegration; Resilience; Marital; Spouse; Behavioral intervention; PTSD; Integrative therapies; Complementary therapies; Massage; Meditation; Mindfulness; Compassion; Mental health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)

  Change from baseline to 2 months and 4 months

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

• Change in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

  Change from baseline to 2 months and 4 months

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

• Change in Posttraumatic Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)

  Change from baseline to 2 months and 4 months

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

• Change in The Self-Compassion Scale

  Change from baseline to 2 months and 4 months

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

• Change in Responses to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES)

  Change from baseline to 2 months and 4 months

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Change in Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS)

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

• Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

• Change in Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS)

  Baseline, 2 months, 4 months

• Investigator-generated survey of use of stress reduction practices

  Weekly for 8 weeks, then at 4 months

• Investigator-generated survey on use of massage and massage effects

  Weekly for 8 weeks

Study Arms (4)

Mission Reconnect only

EXPERIMENTAL

Autonomous use of the Mission Reconnect multimedia instructional program at home.

Behavioral: Mission Reconnect

PREP only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participation in a standard PREP for Strong Bonds weekend retreat program.

Behavioral: PREP

PREP plus Mission Reconnect

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participation in a standard PREP for Strong Bonds weekend retreat followed by autonomous use of the Mission Reconnect multimedia instructional program at home.

Behavioral: Mission Reconnect; Behavioral: PREP

Wait-list control

NO INTERVENTION

No intervention, followed by delivery of the Mission Reconnect multimedia program materials for home use after the end of the study period.

Interventions

Mission Reconnect BEHAVIORAL

Multimedia package (audio, video, and print, web-based and downloadable to mobile devices) comprising an integrated program of (1) guided mind/body stress reduction and relaxation practices, (2) contemplative practices to engender and support appreciation, empathy and forgiveness for oneself and one's loved ones, and (3) video instruction in use of simple massage techniques with a partner for connection and stress reduction.

Mission Reconnect only; PREP plus Mission Reconnect

PREP BEHAVIORAL

The Army's "PREP for Strong Bonds" program offers retreats for partnered soldiers to support reintegration and healthy relationships. PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) for Strong Bonds is a standardized, evidence-based program conducted in a weekend residential retreat format with experiential exercises. The Army Chaplain Corps trains chaplains to facilitate the program. The manualized program uses methods from cognitive behavioral therapy and communication-oriented marital enhancement programs developed by Markman et al. at the Denver University Center for Marital and Family Studies. Topics include communication, conflict management, commitment, friendship, sensuality, problem-solving, and emotional supportiveness, among others.

PREP only; PREP plus Mission Reconnect

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Veteran of deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
• Partner or spouse of the veteran (veteran and partner/spouse must participate together in the project)

You may not qualify if:

• Couples are ineligible who have previously attended a PREP for Strong Bonds program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Collinge and Associates, Inc.: lead

Related Publications (2)

• Collinge W, Kahn J, Soltysik R. Promoting reintegration of National Guard veterans and their partners using a self-directed program of integrative therapies: a pilot study. Mil Med. 2012 Dec;177(12):1477-85. doi: 10.7205/milmed-d-12-00121.

  PMID: 23397692 BACKGROUND

• Kahn JR, Collinge W, Soltysik R. Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Partners Improve Mental Health Outcomes with a Self-directed Mobile and Web-based Wellness Training Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2016 Sep 27;18(9):e255. doi: 10.2196/jmir.5800.

  PMID: 27678169 DERIVED

Related Links

• Website home of the Mission Reconnect Program

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Personal Satisfaction

Study Officials

• William B Collinge, PhD, MPH

  Collinge and Associates, Inc.

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Janet R Kahn, PhD, LMT

  Peace Village Projects, Inc.

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 2
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: President

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2012
• First Posted: September 7, 2012
• Study Start: September 1, 2012
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2015
• Study Completion: May 1, 2015
• Last Updated: August 4, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-07