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

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

320 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2012-09-30

Study Completion Date

2015-05-31

Brief Summary

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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.

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Detailed Description

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There is an urgent and growing need for mental health interventions supporting both short- and long-term reintegration of veterans of OIF and OEF into their communities and significant relationships. Innovative approaches are needed to support the well-being of veterans who may not access or be reached by formal services.

OBJECTIVES. This Phase II project will complete development and evaluation of a self-directed, home-based intervention to be used by OIF/OEF veterans and their loved ones to aid in the readjustment process. "Mission Reconnect" is 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. Feasibility was established in Phase I with high user satisfaction and significant impact on measures of stress, depression, PTSD, and self-compassion, as well as qualitative data. In Phase II We will complete and evaluate the full program in a four-arm randomized controlled trial.

SPECIFIC AIMS. 1. Revise program content based on Phase I quantitative and qualitative data. 2. Film a diverse group of ten 10 veteran/partner dyads receiving and using revised material; use video footage for the final program. 3. Produce high quality audio and video components of the revised program. 4. Produce a multi-modal system for delivery of instructional components that leverages innovations in web-based and mobile device technologies to maximize access, utilization, and data collection. 5. Conduct an RCT with 160 dyads of OIF/OEF veterans and their chosen partners. 6. Evaluate impact of intervention on measures of stress, depression, PTSD symptoms, sleep quality, self-compassion, social support and relationship satisfaction. 7. Evaluate program utilization and satisfaction, massage effects, self-efficacy and satisfaction in users of the revised program.

IMPACT ON THE FIELD. Mission Reconnect offers a convenient, low cost resource helping users develop wellness skills to reduce current and future distress, enhance empathy and improve quality of life. The intervention can complement formal mental health services, or be used alone. This is a potential aid to the two million OIF/OEF veterans, their partners and families, as well as the 20 million living veterans of other eras, whose wounds of war can last for decades if unaddressed.

INNOVATION. The project leverages the dyadic relationship as a context for reciprocal and mutual use of complementary therapies for health promotion in both the veteran and partner. Project technology utilizes state of the art mobile app design, seamless integration across multiple devices, automated background data collection, and device-specific reminder alerts.

COMMERCIAL APPLICATION. The product will be marketed to family support programs of all branches of the military, VA system, and the private sector, including non-profit veterans' associations.

PRODUCT. Mission Reconnect is an integrated multimedia program deliverable over the Internet and mobile devices, and hard copy (DVD, CD, manual).

Conditions

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Stress Depression PTSD Sleep Compassion

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Mission Reconnect only

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

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Mission Reconnect

Intervention Type 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.

PREP only

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

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

PREP

Intervention Type 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 plus Mission Reconnect

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

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Mission Reconnect

Intervention Type 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.

PREP

Intervention Type 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.

Wait-list control

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

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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