Music-instruction Intervention for Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Medical College of Wisconsin

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Depression

Treatments: Other: Guitars for Vets Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT03759171

PRO00019269

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of an active, music-instruction intervention in improving psychological health and social functioning among Veterans suffering from moderate to severe Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Full description

The study was designed as a prospective, delayed-entry randomized pilot trial. Regression-adjusted difference in means were used to examine the intervention's effectiveness with respect to PTSD symptomatology (primary outcome) as well as depression, perceptions of cognitive failures, social functioning and isolation, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes).

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Veterans who (i) had at least one visit for mental health treatment in the prior six months with a primary diagnosis of PTSD (ICD9CM 309.81-83) and (ii) exhibited moderate to severe PTSD symptoms at the time of enrollment (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist >=50)

Exclusion criteria

• Veterans who were currently participating in an intense psychotherapy program (residential or outpatient)
• Veterans who were already receiving guitar lessons from a Guitars for Vets volunteer

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Immediate Entry Group

Experimental group

Description:

Following the baseline interview, veterans randomized to the immediate entry group directly engaged in the Guitars for Vets Intervention and were interviewed at the end of the intervention period, roughly 6 weeks later. The intervention content and duration (6 weeks) was the same across both groups.

Treatment:

Other: Guitars for Vets Intervention

Delayed Entry Group

Experimental group

Description:

Those randomized to the delayed entry group had their baseline interview repeated at the end of the delayed entry period (4 weeks) prior to receiving the 6-week Guitars for Vets Intervention as well as after intervention completion. The intervention content and duration (6 weeks) was the same across both groups.

Treatment:

Other: Guitars for Vets Intervention