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Present Centered Psychotherapy for PTSD (MERA Trial)

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Shannon R. Miles, PhD
Research Sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Agreement not to change psychotropic medications through the duration of the study.
Agreement not to change psychotropic medications through the duration of the study
Must not have
Meets diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up treatment group differences in ebp initiation at 6 months posttreatment.
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will test if a 3-session emotion regulation treatment can help veterans with PTSD reduce impulsive aggression and better prepare for PTSD treatment.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for Veterans who served since 9/11, have PTSD or subthreshold PTSD, and show impulsive aggression. They must not change their psychotropic medications during the study and need an independent observer to verify aggressive acts.
What is being tested?
The MERA trial compares a new 3-session emotion regulation treatment with a control group to see if it can reduce impulsive aggression in Veterans and prepare them for PTSD treatment.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this is a psychotherapy intervention, typical side effects associated with medications are not expected. However, participants may experience emotional discomfort when discussing traumatic experiences.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I agree not to change my mental health medications during the study.
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I agree not to change my mental health medications during the study.
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I have been diagnosed with PTSD or show symptoms of it.
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I am a veteran who served in a combat zone after 9/11.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or a psychotic disorder.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~treatment group differences in ebp initiation at 6 months posttreatment.
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and treatment group differences in ebp initiation at 6 months posttreatment. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in Overt Aggression Scale (OAS)
Secondary study objectives
Change in Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Other study objectives
Evidence Based Psychotherapy (EBP) Initiation

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
MERA is 3 individual 90-minute sessions delivered over 3 weeks.
Group II: Present Centered Psychotherapy (PCT)Active Control1 Intervention
PCT delivered in 3 individual 90-minute sessions over 3 weeks.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

VA Boston Healthcare SystemFED
70 Previous Clinical Trials
970,354 Total Patients Enrolled
University of HoustonOTHER
150 Previous Clinical Trials
47,724 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Aggression
50 Patients Enrolled for Aggression
Texas A&M UniversityOTHER
147 Previous Clinical Trials
23,659 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04793776 — N/A
Aggression Research Study Groups: Present Centered Psychotherapy (PCT), Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA)
Aggression Clinical Trial 2023: Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04793776 — N/A
Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04793776 — N/A
Aggression Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04793776 — N/A
~61 spots leftby Dec 2025
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