๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-06-04

Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA) (NCT04793776)

Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression - MERA: A Brief Aggression Treatment for Veterans With PTSD Symptoms

๐ŸŸข Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ๐Ÿง  Behavioral & Psychological Program Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

PTSD is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions affecting Veterans who have served since 9/11. Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) report difficulty controlling impulsive aggression (IA). An inability to manage one's emotions (emotion dysregulation) is an underlying mechanism of IA. Reducing IA and increasing use of PTSD evidence-based psychotherapies are two critical missions for the Veterans Health Administration. The proposed research supports these missions by comparing a 3- session emotion regulation treatment (Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression) to a control group in order to determine if MERA can reduce IA and prepare Veterans for PTSD treatment. By enhancing Veterans' abilities to cope with trauma-related emotions and feel equipped to initiate PTSD treatments, this research aims to help Veterans decrease IA and ultimately recover from PTSD.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL โ€” Tampa, Florida

Age range: 18 Years to 64 Years

๐Ÿงช Interventions in This Study

  • Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (BEHAVIORAL)
  • Present Centered Psychotherapy (BEHAVIORAL)

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)

  • James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL โ€” Tampa, Florida
  • Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX โ€” Houston, Texas

๐Ÿ“ž Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (813) 972-2000

Email: Shannon.Miles@va.gov

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—