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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
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up treatment group differences in ebp initiation at 6 months posttreatment.
Awards & highlights

MERA Trial 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.Check my eligibility
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.See study design
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.

MERA Trial 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.
Select...
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.

MERA Trial 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

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

MERA 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
68 Previous Clinical Trials
970,248 Total Patients Enrolled
University of HoustonOTHER
147 Previous Clinical Trials
47,274 Total Patients Enrolled
Texas A&M UniversityOTHER
140 Previous Clinical Trials
23,902 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04793776 — N/A
Emotion Regulation Research Study Groups: Present Centered Psychotherapy (PCT), Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA)
Emotion Regulation 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
Emotion Regulation Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04793776 — N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Does this research only include young adults, or are older patients being accepted as well?

"This study's eligibility requirements include being between 18-64 years old."

Answered by AI

Could I take part in this experimental medication program?

"The eligibility requirements for this study are that potential patients must have some ability to regulate their emotions and be between 18-64 years old. A total of 204 individuals will be enrolled in the trial."

Answered by AI

Are there any vacancies in this clinical trial for new test subjects?

"Yes, as of 1/10/2022 this clinical trial is seeking participants. The study was originally posted on 1/3/2022 and will be conducted at 2 sites with a total of 204 patients."

Answered by AI

Who else is applying?

What state do they live in?
Florida
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Met criteria
What site did they apply to?
James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL
How many prior treatments have patients received?
3+

Why did patients apply to this trial?

I need something to help me with my moods and outbursts! I become agitated very quickly.
PatientReceived 2+ prior treatments
Recent research and studies
clinicaltrials.govStudy
Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA)
2022. "Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA)". ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04793776.
All > Ptsd Houston > Ptsd
~87 spots leftby Dec 2025
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