Article
Psychology, Clinical
Shaddy K. Saba, Jordan P. Davis, John J. Prindle, Carl Andrew Castro, Eric R. Pedersen
Summary: This study found associations between pain, PTSD symptoms, and increased AUD symptomology among veterans. The relationship between pain and AUD appeared stronger in the context of low PTSD symptoms. Reexperiencing and negative cognitions and mood were identified as factors associated with increased AUD symptoms.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Emma M. Brown, David H. Salat, William P. Milberg, Catherine B. Fortier, Regina E. McGlinchey
Summary: This study examined the changes in cortical thickness, volume, and surface area in a cohort of OEF/OIF/OND veterans after an average interval of approximately 2 years. The results showed that veterans with severe PTSD symptoms exhibited more severe negative changes in cortical measures over time. Furthermore, there was an interaction effect between severe PTSD and age, with accelerated cortical degeneration observed in severe PTSD individuals as they aged. The study also found that comorbid military-related mTBI had an impact on cortical measures in the severe PTSD group.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Suzanne E. Decker, Christine M. Ramsey, Silvia Ronzitti, Robert D. Kerns, Mary A. Driscoll, James Dziura, Melissa Skanderson, Harini Bathulapalli, Cynthia A. Brandt, Sally G. Haskell, Joseph L. Goulet
Summary: This study found that sexual trauma is closely related to the risk of suicide in veterans, even in the absence of obvious mental health problems. Among veterans without a history of mental health diagnosis or treatment, MST is associated with a high risk of suicidal ideation. Therefore, it is recommended that positive MST screening prompt screening for suicidal ideation and risk management, and further research is needed to study barriers to mental healthcare among MST survivors.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Michelle M. Pebole, Robert C. Lyons, Robyn L. Gobin
Summary: This study examines trauma frequency, alcohol use, and PTSD symptoms as predictors of emotion regulation difficulties among post-9/11 Veterans. The findings show positive correlations between PTSD symptom severity and ER difficulties, as well as between drinking behavior and emotion dysregulation. PTSD accounts for a significant portion of the variance in ER difficulties and may help identify aspects of PTSD symptomatology that contribute to ER difficulties.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
C. L. Park, S. J. Sacco, S. W. Kraus, C. M. Mazure, R. A. Hoff
Summary: Research explores the connection between U.S. military veterans' meaning in life and their mental health and well-being. However, more needs to be understood about the veterans' meaning in life itself, as it is often studied as a precursor to other aspects of well-being. This study aimed to answer two key questions about veterans' sense of meaning: how well do veterans maintain a sense of meaning over time, and what factors contribute to their sense of meaning over time. The results suggest that a significant portion of veterans experience low and even declining meaning in life, which can greatly impact their quality of life and well-being.
JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Crystal L. Park, Shane J. Sacco, Shane W. Kraus, Carolyn M. Mazure, Rani A. Hoff
Summary: The study found that religiousness/spirituality is associated with mental and physical health in military veterans, with the specific relationships varying depending on sex and race/ethnicity. For different genders and racial/ethnic groups of veterans, religiousness/spirituality may play different roles in mental and physical health.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Nicholas A. Livingston, Daniel J. Lee, Colin T. Mahoney, Stacey L. Farmer, Travis Cole, Brian P. Marx, Terence M. Keane
Summary: The study found that drug use problems were more severe among male veteran participants, while the correlation between PTSD and drug issues was stronger in female veterans who reported drug use. Results suggested that PTSD symptoms predicted future drug use problems in men, while drug problems predicted future severity of PTSD symptoms in women.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Adam B. David, Crystal L. Park, Shane J. Sacco, Shane W. Kraus, Rani A. Hoff
Summary: This study examined the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PPTG) and mental health (MH) through the mediation of meaning in life (MIL). The results showed that PPTG predicted subsequent MH, with MIL mediating this effect. PPTG also predicted increased MIL, but not increased MH in the long term, although increased MIL led to increased MH. These findings suggest the importance of meaning making in the study of PPTG and its adaptive nature.
JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alessandra A. Pratt, Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Michelle A. Mengeling, Emily B. K. Thomas, Kelly Miell, Sonya B. Norman, Brian C. Lund
Summary: Chronic pain can worsen PTSD symptoms and increase the risk of using multiple CNS-active medications.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Katherine E. Miller, James P. MacDonald, Lindsay Sullivan, Lakshmi Prakruthi Rao Venkata, Junxin Shi, Keith Owen Yeates, Su Chen, Enas Alshaikh, H. Gerry Taylor, Amanda Hautmann, Nicole Asa, Daniel M. Cohen, Thomas L. Pommering, Elaine R. Mardis, Jingzhen Yang, NCH Concuss Res Grp
Summary: This study conducted a long-term assessment of salivary miRNA expression levels in concussed children and found differences in expression levels between children with and without PPCS.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Colin T. Mahoney, Danielle R. Shayani, Katherine M. Iverson
Summary: Women survivors of intimate partner violence often experience mental and physical problems, including chronic pain and insomnia. This study found that PTSD symptoms from intimate partner violence had an indirect effect on insomnia through chronic pain severity, and this effect was moderated by experiential avoidance. This pattern was not observed in women without a history of intimate partner violence.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rebecca E. Woodrow, Stefan Winzeck, Andrea Luppi, Isaac R. Kelleher-Unger, Lennart R. B. Spindler, J. T. Lindsay Wilson, Virginia F. J. Newcombe, Jonathan P. Coles, David K. Menon, Emmanuel A. Stamatakis
Summary: Chronic post-concussive symptoms are common after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and are difficult to predict or treat. The study found acute thalamic hyperconnectivity in mTBI, even without structural changes. These acute changes in thalamic connectivity can serve as early markers for persistent symptoms and have associations with specific emotional and cognitive symptoms.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Jonathan E. Elliott, Nadir M. Balba, Alisha A. McBride, Megan L. Callahan, Kendall T. Street, Matthew P. Butler, Mary M. Heinricher, Miranda M. Lim
Summary: This study examined the effectiveness of different methods for evaluating history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), finding that the Head Trauma Events Characteristics (HTEC) method had the highest sensitivity. It also noted that the results and conclusions may significantly differ depending on the diagnostic method used.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vivian A. Guedes, Chen Lai, Christina Devoto, Katie A. Edwards, Sara Mithani, Dilorom Sass, Rany Vorn, Bao-Xi Qu, Heather L. Rusch, Carina A. Martin, William C. Walker, Elisabeth A. Wilde, Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, Jessica M. Gill, Kimbra Kenney
Summary: The study found that levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) were associated with the severity of PTSD symptoms in participants with remote mTBI, and specific miRNAs were also linked to the severity of PTSD symptoms. This suggests possible signaling pathways linked to the development of persistent PTSD symptoms after TBI.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Todd W. Lyons, Rebekah Mannix, Ken Tang, Keith Owen Yeates, Gurinder Sangha, Emma C. M. Burns, Darcy Beer, Alexander S. Dubrovsky, Isabelle Gagnon, Jocelyn Gravel, Stephen B. Freedman, William Craig, Kathy Boutis, Martin H. Osmond, Gerard Gioia, Roger Zemek
Summary: This study aimed to assess the occurrence and clustering of post-concussive symptoms in children and identify distinct patient phenotypes based on symptom type and severity. The results showed that post-concussive symptoms occur in distinct clusters and five patient groups were identified based on symptom type and severity.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Mark S. Burton, Andrew M. Sherrill, Liza C. Zwiebach, Emily E. Fenlon, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Barbara O. Rothbaum
Summary: The Emory University Prolonged Exposure (PE) Consultant Training Program aims to develop a national network of competent PE consultants. The program has developed a training model that focuses on developing 18 consultation skills within five competency domains. The article highlights the importance of expert consultation in disseminating evidence-based treatments and discusses the theoretical background and applied value of the domains in the Emory program.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Keith S. Cox, Danielle Wiener, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Peter W. Tuerk, Bethany Wangelin, Ron Acierno
Summary: Even with the best treatments, some individual PTSD symptoms may persist after treatment. This study found that most symptoms reduced about the same amount during treatment, with avoidance patterns showing the greatest reduction. Disturbed sleep and hypervigilance had the highest levels post-treatment. This information can be used by patients, clinicians, and researchers to plan and develop effective PTSD treatments.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Jessica Maples-Keller, Laura E. Watkins, K. Maria Nylocks, Carly Yasinski, Callan Coghlan, Kathryn Black, Tanja Jovanovic, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Barbara O. Rothbaum, Seth Davin Norrholm
Summary: This study examined fear acquisition, extinction learning, and retention in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients before and after treatment, and found excessive fear in PTSD patients during acquisition and extinction. It also found that high responders to prolonged exposure therapy (PE) maintained fear extinction learning, while low responders showed a return of fear after treatment.
BEHAVIOUR RESEARCH AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ralph Ward, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Robert Neal Axon, Michael S. Saenger
Summary: This study conducted a quality improvement evaluation of the Empower Veterans Program (EVP) and found that the program was associated with a significant reduction in mortality risk for veterans with chronic pain and opioid use.
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Seyma Katrinli, Anthony P. King, Elizabeth R. Duval, Alicia K. Smith, Nirmala Rajaram, Israel Liberzon, Sheila A. M. Rauch
Summary: Epigenetic alterations in DNA methylation may mediate the gene expression effects of trauma underlying PTSD symptoms and the effects of PTSD on related health problems. PTSD is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates, indicating accelerated biological aging. A study measuring genome-wide DNA methylation found that patients with PTSD had increased GrimAge acceleration, suggesting a higher risk of premature mortality. There were no differences in GrimAge acceleration between combat trauma and non-trauma exposed controls, and no treatment-related changes in GrimAge acceleration were observed in PTSD patients pre- to post-treatment.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Matthew T. Luciano, Sonya B. Norman, Carolyn B. Allard, Ron Acierno, Naomi M. Simon, Kristin L. Szuhany, Amanda W. Baker, Murray B. Stein, Brian Martis, Peter W. Tuerk, Sheila A. M. Rauch
Summary: Trauma-informed beliefs and anxiety sensitivity (AS) often decrease during PTSD treatment. This study examined the changes in AS during exposure-based and psychopharmacological PTSD treatments. High AS was found to be a risk factor for attenuated PTSD treatment response, but AS can be improved by both treatments.
JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Nadine R. Mastroleo, Kyle Possemato, Paul R. King, Christina Balderrama-Durbin, Charlotte Crinnin, Jeffrey A. Cigrang, Jennifer P. Read, Brian Borsari, Stephen A. Maisto, Sheila A. M. Rauch
Summary: This study found that the development of a new integrated intervention, PC-TIME, is a promising approach to treating heavy alcohol use and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Veterans. An open trial showed that most participants reduced their drinking and experienced fewer PTSD symptoms, indicating the need for a larger efficacy trial. The results suggest that PC-TIME is an acceptable and effective treatment for heavy alcohol use and PTSD in Veterans.
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY-RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rebecca K. Sripada, Kayla Smith, Heather M. Walters, Dara Ganoczy, H. Myra Kim, Peter P. Grau, Inbal Nahum-Shani, Kyle Possemato, Eric Kuhn, Kara Zivin, Paul N. Pfeiffer, Kipling M. Bohnert, Jeffrey A. Cigrang, Kimberly M. Avallone, Sheila A. M. Rauch
Summary: This study aims to develop a stepped-care model for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in low-income individuals. It compares the effectiveness of two initial treatment strategies (CS PTSD Coach and PE-PC) and explores different second-stage treatment options (continuing initial treatment or stepping up to full-length PE) for slow responders. The findings of this study will inform clinical practice for PTSD by providing scalable and sustainable treatment sequences in low-resource community health centers.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Cindy M. A. McGeary, Leslie A. A. Morland, Patricia A. A. Resick, Casey L. L. Straud, John C. C. Moring, Min Ji Sohn, Margaret-Anne Mackintosh, Stacey Young-McCaughan, Ron Acierno, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Jim Mintz, Donald D. D. McGeary, Stephanie Y. Y. Wells, Kathleen Grubbs, Paul S. S. Nabity, Chelsea J. J. McMahon, Brett T. T. Litz, Dawn I. I. Velligan, Alexandra Macdonald, Emma Mata-Galan, Stephen L. L. Holliday, Kirsten H. H. Dillon, John D. D. Roache, Alan L. L. Peterson
Summary: This study compares the impact and efficiency of in-person and telehealth treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data from 268 veterans enrolled in two PTSD clinical trials were analyzed. The results indicate that participants in the in-home telehealth format were most likely to complete at least eight treatment sessions and achieve reliable change in symptoms, followed by those in the telehealth and office formats. There were no significant differences in the time required to complete at least eight sessions. Rating: 8 out of 10.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sheila A. M. Rauch, Margaret R. Venners, Carly Ragin, Gretchen Ruhe, Kristen E. Lamp, Mark Burton, Andrew Pomerantz, Nancy Bernardy, Paula P. Schnurr, Jessica L. Hamblen, Kyle Possemato, Rebecca Sripada, Laura O. Wray, Katherine Dollar, Michael Wade, Millie C. Astin, Jeffrey A. Cigrang
Summary: PE is an effective treatment for PTSD, especially in primary care settings. A study showed that older veterans with combat trauma who received PE-PC treatment experienced significant reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms, with an average of five sessions. Providers trained in both PE and CPT were more likely to have patients complete the treatment, while veterans with military sexual trauma were less likely to complete it. Asian American and Pacific Islander veterans had a higher completion rate, and older veterans were more likely to complete the treatment.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sheila A. M. Rauch, H. Myra Kim, Ron Acierno, Carly Ragin, Bethany Wangelin, Kimberly Blitch, Wendy Muzzy, Stephanie Hart, Kara Zivin
Summary: This study compared the effectiveness of integrating PTSD treatment into primary care for veterans. The results showed that both prolonged exposure therapy and usual primary care mental health integration treatment were effective in improving functioning and reducing symptoms for veterans with PTSD.
FAMILIES SYSTEMS & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Katie A. Ragsdale, Anastacia Nichols, Laura E. Watkins, Lauren B. McSweeney, Jessica Maples-Keller, Alexandria Bartlett, Mbapelen H. Unongo, Seth D. Norrholm, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Barbara O. Rothbaum
Summary: This article describes the clinical presentation of a post-9/11 veteran with comorbid mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The veteran underwent a 2-week intensive outpatient program involving evidence-based treatments for PTSD and postconcussive symptoms. The treatment resulted in significant reductions in neurobehavioral, posttraumatic stress, and depression symptoms, as well as improvement in subjective cognitive functioning.
COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Correction
Psychology, Clinical
Sheila A. M. Rauch, Carly W. Yasinski, Loren M. Post, Tanja Jovanovic, Seth Norrholm, Andrew M. Sherrill, Vasiliki Michopoulos, Brittany Lannert, Monika Stojek, Laura Watkins, Mark Burton, Kelsey Sprang, Lauren McSweeney, Katie Ragsdale, Barbara O. Rothbaum
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Laura E. Watkins, Samantha C. Patton, Tiffany Wilcox, Karen Drexler, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Barbara O. Rothbaum
Summary: This study aimed to examine substance use outcomes among post-9/11 veterans and service members, and found that concurrent intensive treatment of PTSD and SUDs can lead to symptom improvement in a short period of time. The findings support the self-medication model.
JOURNAL OF DUAL DIAGNOSIS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Riya Thomas, Jessie J. Ma, Nicole A. Short, Megan Lechner, Kathy Bell, Jenny Black, Jennie Buchanan, Jeffrey Ho, Ralph Riviello, Israel Liberzon, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Ronald C. Kessler, Samuel A. McLean
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)