Veterans of OIF or OEF and their friends or family members may be eligible to participate together in a special project sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The purpose is to evaluate an educational program to improve the well-being of veterans and their loved ones following the veteran’s return from deployment.
The veteran will choose a trusted partner (family member or friend) to participate. Together they will receive educational materials (a DVD, illustrated manual, and two CDs) that teach practices they can use at home to reduce stress and improve well-being. Researchers have found these methods to be helpful for reducing stress and promoting well-being, including with military members. This study will see how effective this program is in helping veterans and their relationship partners at home. The program materials include CDs that provide guided meditation exercises to promote relaxation, peace of mind, and compassion toward oneself and others. In addition the partner will learn simple touch and massage techniques (fully clothed) to provide comfort and relaxation to the veteran.
What are the benefits?
-
The participants may learn to reduce their own stress levels and achieve greater well-being in daily living.
-
The relationship between the veteran and partner may be strengthened, and become more satisfying and supportive.
-
Participants will contribute to knowledge that may benefit others in their situation.
-
The veteran and partner may be able to ease the veteran’s return from military service back to home and community life.
Who is eligible?
- Any veteran of OIF/OEF who brings a friend or family member as a partner for this study.
- All participants must be able to speak and read English.
Will we be paid to participate?
- Each participant will receive up to $310 ($620/pair) for completion of all parts of the project.
What is involved?
- Complete an Application form, Consent Form, and screening interview.
- Attend an orientation meeting together to receive instructions for how to participate.
- Practice the methods taught together for 8 weeks.
- Complete surveys and weekly report cards on your use of the materials.
- Attend a 90 minute focus group at the end of the project.
Who’s conducting the project?
Collinge and Associates
William Collinge, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
3986 N Shasta Loop
Eugene, OR 97405
Phone (207)423-0640
HOW TO APPLY
To apply read the Consent Form below. If after reading the Consent Form you want to apply, fill out and return the Application Form below. We will phone you for a brief interview. For more information please call William Collinge at (207)423-0640.
Call for Participants (printable copy of the above announcement)
Consent Form
Application Form
PROJECT COLLABORATORS
William Collinge, PhD, Principal Investigator, Collinge and Associates, Kittery, ME
Janet Kahn, PhD, Co-Investigator, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Brian Marx, PhD, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston
David Kearney, MD, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle
Kenneth Fletcher, PhD, UMass Medical School, Worcester
James Gordon, MD, Center for Mind-Body Medicine, Washington, DC
Wayne Jonas, MD, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, and Samueli Institute
