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Improving Outcomes for Veterans with mTBI and PTSD

This study is for Post-9/11 Veterans who have both a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Researchers want to see if combining Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) with either Morning Bright Light Therapy (MBLT) or a Negative Ion Generator (ION) can improve thinking skills, daily functioning, and other issues like depression and sleep problems. You might be able to join if you are a Veteran receiving care at VA San Diego or VA Portland, live on your own, and have concerns about your memory or thinking. The study aims to enroll 144 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 144 participants. It compares two different approaches: CCT+MBLT and CCT+ION.
What's involved
You would have assessments at the start, at 5 weeks, at 10 weeks, and then a final check-up three months later.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will have a follow-up assessment three months after treatment ends.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07055633

Improving Cognitive Rehabilitation Outcomes

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
VA Office of Research and Development
~144 participants
Updated 2026-04-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:CCT+MBLTCCT+ION

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Objective Cognitive Performance
Measured over baseline, 10 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

ConcussionPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
California1
Oregon1

Study leadership

  • Elizabeth W. Twamley, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Who to contact

Michelle Z Schy
[email protected]
(858) 255-4368
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Post 9/11 Veterans enrolled at VA San Diego or VA Portland
Ability to provide informed consent
Living independently
History of mTBI confirmed by OSU-TBI
Current diagnosis of PTSD confirmed by CAPS-5
Current cognitive concerns ("Do you have concerns about your cognition, thinking, attention, or memory?")
Current concern regarding depression and/or sleep disturbance; defined by a score of 5 on the PHQ-9 and/or 8 on the ISI, respectively (score of 2 or higher on ISI item 1, 2, or 3, reflecting at least "moderate" difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early in the morning)

Exclusion

Current substance use disorder with \<30 days abstinence
History of primary psychotic disorder
History of moderate to severe TBI (loss of consciousness \>30 minutes)
History of macular degeneration or bipolar disorder (both contraindicated for bright light therapy)
Not work night or swing shift schedules
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea either via self-report or a score 5 on the STOP-BANG
Current engagement in bright light therapy
Auditory or visual impairments precluding participation in assessments or treatments

What this trial measures

  • Objective Cognitive Performancebaseline, 10 weeks

    Composite z score of Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) Digit Span; WAIS-IV Coding; Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Trails; D-KEFS Color-Word Interference; and the UCSD Performance-Based Skills Assessment-Brief (UPSA-B). There is no minimum or maximum value of a z score. Higher scores will reflect better outcomes.

  • Functioningbaseline, 10 weeks

    Composite z score of Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. There is no minimum or maximum value of a z score. Higher scores will reflect better outcomes.