Research and Clinical Studies

To be eligible to enroll in a study you MUST be enrolled as a DEERS-eligible service member, dependent, retiree, or DOD civilian.

Pilot Trial Comparing Exposure and Non-Exposure Treatments for Posttrauma Nightmares and Insomnia: Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing vs. NightWare Wristband

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate two new treatments for trauma-related nightmares and to investigate biomarkers related to response to treatment.
Eligibility Criteria: 
-Active duty service members or DEERS-eligible veterans
- Ages 22-64
- Experiencing trauma-related nightmarese 
Participant Expectations:Complete an at-home sleep study.
- Attend 4 in-person visits and 12 video/remote visits, at which you will complete rating forms and interviews.
- Give 5 blood samples.
- Complete a daily sleep diary.
- Wear a wristband 23 hours per day to monitor your body movement, heart rate, and stress-related physical responses of your skin.
- Be randomly assigned (50:50 chance) to receive either Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing (NDR; psychotherapy) or NightWare (NW; wristband).
Contact Information: NTStudy@CSTSonline.org, or call 301-295-0625
Dr. James West (james.west@usuhs.edu, 301-319-4281
IRB Number: USUHS.2023-125
IRB Approval Date: 04-11-2024
Related Link(s):  https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06399874

Comparative cohort study of post-acute Covid-19 infection with a nested, randomized controlled trial of ivabradine for those with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (COVIVA) study

Purpose: The purpose of the study is three-fold. The primary aim is to identify the proportion of Long-Haul COVID (LHC) and non-LHC volunteers with relevant symptoms actually have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The second is to determine benefit of ivabradine treatment. Ivabradine is a drug approved to treat tachycardia in persons with heart failure. The third is to characterize risk factors and outcomes among volunteers with and without LHC. This will include comparison with COVID-19-positive individuals who did not develop long-COVID symptoms.
The study will improve basic and applied knowledge of LHC and its associated cardiovascular and autonomic consequences. Cellular and molecular characterization of LHC and non-LHC participants will be performed with a nested clinical trial for Ivabradine responsiveness on reduction of tachycardia. It is hoped that a greater understanding of LHC, and related autonomic dysfunction in particular will help to identify treatment paradigms and therapeutic targets for improving recovery and enhancing health for those affected.
Eligibility Criteria: For information please visit: Study page
Participant Expectations: -9 visits over the span of one year
Study procedures include but not limited to: EKGs, tilt table tests, PFTs, blood draws, urine sampling, history and physicals, neurocognitive assessments, ambulatory device monitoring, psychological interviews, surveys, echocardiograms, etc.
If found to have POTS, then participant will be enrolled in the RCT and will be taking IP for the remainder of the study.
This is a fully-in person study.
Each visit is compensated but we do not provide travel reimbursement.
We will not be billing anything to any health insurance providers.
Contact Information: Carrie Hsu (carrie.hsu.ctr@usuhs.edu/202-743-6174)
Priscilla Kobi (priscilla.kobi.ctr@usuhs.edu/202-819-6482)
IRB Number: 21-13822
IRB Approval Date: 07-11-2022
Related Link(s):  Study page

Pediatric Respiratory Co-infection and Immunologic Response Study

Purpose: To learn more about how children’s immune systems respond to viral infections. The viruses we are focusing on are SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV. This research is designed to help us determine if there are differences in how the immune system fights infection depending on the child’s age.
Eligibility Criteria: Between the ages of 1 month and 17 years 
Have access to the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda base
Participant Expectations: Participation in this study will involve 1-8 visits a year for 2 years depending on how often the child has symptoms of a respiratory illness. Visits may include health history assessments, physical examination, nasal swabs and blood draws. 
Contact Information: Phone at (202)-819-6482 OR via email at clinical.research.unit.53-ggg@usuhs.edu.
IRB Number: USUHS.2023-121
IRB Approval Date: 09/13/2023
Related Link(s): Study page

What About Water?!

Purpose: To understand the influence of water intake on body fat percentage analysis using the new supplemental body fat methods: InBody 770 & dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Eligibility Criteria: 1) Active duty military personnel, 2) Between 18-54 years old, 3) Generally healthy (self-reported)
Participant Expectations: Participant will complete: DXA scan, InBody scan, and Circumference Tape Test; Handgrip strength and isometric mid-thigh pull; Hydration testing; Consume 250 mL, 500 mL, or 1000 mL of water (or no water intake)
Contact Information: 1LT Tina Sergi, tina.e.sergi.mil@health.mil or 301-400-3905
IRB Number: WRNMMC-2023-0435
IRB Approval Date: 10/24/2023

Adjustment disorders in the US military: Addressing Gaps in Knowledge and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate gaps associated with diagnosing and assessing Adjustment Disorders (AD) in service members. This involves two phases conducted concurrently: (1) establishing a military-specific assessment tool for ADs and (2) exploring provider-focused factors that influence AD diagnosis in military populations for the purpose of modifying the reliable and validated ADNM-20.
Eligibility Criteria: Phase 1C Psychometric Evaluation (Any Active Duty Service Member, 18 or older, English-speaking, and who has not participated in another phase of this study) who: (1) has a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder alone or Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood, anxiety, or mixed anxiety and depressed mood within the past 12 months OR (2) has never received a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder or any other mental health or substance use disorders Phase 2b (Providers Only): Provider (e.g., healthcare, behavioral health), age 18 years or older, who diagnoses or treats active duty military service members.
Participant Expectations: Phase 1C (Any Service Member) If you decide to participate in this study you will complete a 20-30 minute packet of online questionnaires, which can also be mailed to you. The questionnaires will ask you about a series of symptoms of various mental health problems to understand how adjustment disorders are experienced in military populations and how they are different from other diagnoses. Phase 2b (Providers Only) If you decide to participate in the study you will complete a short onetime questionnaire that will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. The questionnaire will ask you about your attitudes and behaviors as a provider with regards to using a military-specific/focused assessment tool when diagnosing Adjustment Disorders in the Military population.
Contact Information: Dr. Kim Hopkins, WHNP-BC, PhD dawn-kimberly.hopkins.ctr@usuhs.edu 301-295-3457
IRB Number: USUHS.2021-075
IRB Approval Date: 05/21/2021
Related Link(s): Study Page

Exploring the Natural History of Traumatic Brain Injury within a Military Cohort 

Official Title: Exploring the Natural History of Traumatic Brain Injury within a Military Cohort – A Longitudinal Database and Blood Banking Study
Date Window: 4/26/2013 - 4/1/2028
Contact for Details: For more information please call 855-753-3394 or email natural.history1@dvbic.org
Summary: If you served in the military after October 2001, you may be eligible to participate in a reserach study requested by Congress. We are currently recruiting service members and veterans who 1) have incurred a TBI since 2001, 2) incurred a bodily injury that was not a TBI since 2011 or 3) have served at any point since 2001 but were not injured.
The purpose of the study is to increase our understanding of the long term effects of trumatic brain injury on service members and veterans. Participation will include short yearly appointments. Each visit will last either 2 hours or 2 days and will occur once per year for up to 15 years. You may elect to participate only in web-based and telephone measures.

Your participant could contribute to knowledge that could improve the care of your fellow service members and veterans. You may be compensated for your participation.