Sign in
Taking people in United StatesNo phase

Cognitive Rehabilitation for Treatment of Anger in Veterans With TBI and PTSD

Key facts

Who runs it
Duke University
Where
Durham, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
100 people, planned
Started
4 Aug 2026
Expected to end
31 Dec 2028
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • CALM (Cognitive Apps for Life Management)
  • Psychoeducation
Record updated
6 August 2026

Who can take part

Age
18 years and older
Sex
Women and men
Healthy volunteers
Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 14 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • U.S. Veteran who served in one of the military branches (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard) since 9/11/01
  • Meets criteria for TBI
  • Meets criteria for PTSD or subthreshold PTSD
  • Reports anger problems began after their head injury
  • Reports current problems with cognitive function
  • At least 18 years old
  • Fluent and literate in English
  • Able to provide voluntary, informed consent to participate
  • Smartphone Use: Has an iPhone (iPhone 11 or higher with iOS 17 or higher) or Android (Android 8.0 or higher) smartphone
  • Over age 18
  • Family member/friend of Veteran who served in one of the military branches (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard) post-9/11 and who meets TBI and PTSD inclusion criteria. (Veterans select this trusted family member or friend to serve as a support person for the study)
  • Fluent and literate in English
  • Able to provide voluntary, informed consent to participate

Who cannot take part

  • -Does not have a trusted support person, e.g., spouse, family member, or friend for enrollment

Where in United States

  • Duke University School of MedicineDurham, United StatesContact: Eric ElbogenTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This randomized clinical trial will enroll 100 Veteran-family/friend dyads to test the efficacy of CALM in treating anger in TBI and PTSD. The investigators hypothesize that compared to an active control group, Veterans randomized to the CALM group will demonstrate:

Read full original descriptionShow less

* Significantly larger decreases in anger dysregulation, impulsivity, and executive dysfunction. * Significantly larger improvements in social and adaptive functioning including less aggression. * Significantly larger reduction in PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation.

The study targets Veterans who experience difficulties with anger and impulsivity due to TBI and PTSD. These issues are common, with up to 38% of Veterans with TBI also having PTSD. These conditions often make it challenging for Veterans to control their emotions and interact successfully in social and work settings. Our research will test the CALM (Cognitive Applications for Life Management) mobile app, which helps Veterans manage their goals, remember important tasks, and improve their attention. Initial tests of CALM have shown it can reduce levels of anger and related issues in Veterans. The investigators will conduct a study with 100 pairings of Veterans and a family member or friend. These pairs will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one using the CALM mobile platform and the other receiving brain health education. Both groups will use their assigned intervention for three months and will receive support through videoconference calls at the beginning, middle, and end of the program.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • CALM (Cognitive Apps for Life Management)Treatment being tested
  • PsychoeducationExisting treatment, for comparison

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Cognitive Rehabilitation for Treatment of Anger in Veterans With TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)
Publications
Record updated
6 August 2026