War Related Illness and Injury Study Center
Volunteer for Research at CA WRIISC
More Information
For general information about WRIISC or participating in research:- Call us at: 1-888-482-4376
The WRIISC conducts research studies for illnesses and injuries affecting Veterans of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield (ODS/DS) (1990-1991 Persian Gulf War), OEF (Afghanistan), OIF/OND (Iraq) and other conflict eras. The CA WRIISC is investigating new treatments for chronic pain in ODS/DS Veterans, mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Posttramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and working to improve diagnostic tools for brain injury. If you are interested in participating in any of the research projects outlined below, please contact the study team using the information provided for each project or the study flyer.
Please note that the studies below are located in Palo Alto, CA and most require travel to the VA Palo Alto facility in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
- Yoga and Group Treatment for Chronic Pain in Gulf War Veterans - This study is no longer enrolling participants.
Principal Investigator: Peter Bayley, PhD
Co-Investigator: Louise Mahoney, MS, RYT
Project Coordinator: Rachael Cho, MSEd
Background: Many Veterans from the first Gulf War (1990-1991) have reported negative health consequences including chronic symptoms (fatigue, pain and cognitive disturbances) commonly referred to as Gulf War Illness (GWI). No clear cause or effective treatment has yet been identified.
Purpose: We will compare two non-drug treatments for chronic pain in GWI: Yoga and a pain management wellness group for chronic pain. Both treatment groups will meet for one session per week for 10 weeks. Follow-up interviews will be given at 18, 26, and 34 weeks.
Eligibility: You may be eligible for a non-drug study involving group yoga or a pain management wellness group if you:
- have chronic pain and
- served in the military in 1990-1991, regardless of deployment
^ back to top - Feasibility of Telehealth Yoga for Treatment of Chronic Pain - Actively Recruiting participants
Principal Investigator: Peter Bayley, PhD
Co-Investigator: Louise Mahoney, MS, RYT
Project Coordinator: Shweta Pahade
Background: : Many Veterans suffer from Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, and delivering Yoga as a non-drug treatment approach has shown to offer symptomatic relief. Providing yoga over a telehealth video conferencing allows Veterans to attend classes from the comfort of their home.
Purpose: Participants will attend a 75 minute yoga session per week for 12 consecutive weeks from an off-site location via an iPad loaned to them by the research study.
Eligibility: You may be eligible for a non-drug study involving yoga via telehealth for treatment of Chronic Pain if:
- You are a Veteran
- You have chronic musculoskeletal pain
- You have a primary care provider at the VA who can approve your participation in yoga
- You have a wireless Internet connection in your home
Eligible Veterans will receive 12 free group yoga classes from home using a VA provided iPad and $200 compensation for completing the entire study. Contact the Study Coordinator at (650) 304-1517.
Research Flyer
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- Yoga and Group Treatment for Chronic Pain in Gulf War Veterans (see details under Chronic Pain Studies)
- Communication Study for Gulf War Veterans
Principal Investigator (CA Site) : Peter Bayley, PhD
Project Coordinator: Melinda Wong
Purpose: Many Gulf War Veterans experience problems with fatigue, trouble concentrating, and muscle/joint pain (also known as Gulf War Illness). We are conducting a communication study to learn how health care providers and Gulf War Veterans think and talk about Gulf War Illness. Eligibility: Seeking Veterans who served in the Gulf War who have an upcoming appointment with a health care provider at the primary care clinic or at the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC).
The study will be located at the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304 Compensation will be provided for completion of study visits and surveys.
For more information or to participate, please contact the study team at is 650-304-1517.
Research Flyer
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- Breathing Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - This study is no longer enrolling participants.
Principal Investigator: Peter J. Bayley, PhD
Project Coordinator: Julia Tang
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether a breathing meditation technique (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga; SKY) provides a treatment benefit that is as effective as the standard psychotherapy (Cognitive Processing Therapy – CPT-C). Participants' PTSD symptoms will be assessed before treatment, at the end of treatment, one month after treatment and 12 months after treatment.
Eligibility: Veterans with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(e.g. re-experiencing a traumatic event, avoiding stressful situations, negative feelings, sleep problems, unable to relax)The study will be located at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System at 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA.
$400 will be provided for completing the entire study.For more information or to participate, please contact the study team at 650-785-6661 and visit the study website.
Research Flyer
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- Clinical Data Collection for Patients Seen in the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (CA)
Principal Investigators: J. Wesson Ashford, MD, PhD and Ansgar Furst, PhD
The purpose of this on-going project is to study and make recommendations regarding treatment of deployment related injuries and illnesses. One of the objectives of the WRIISC is to evaluate Veterans with multiple unexplained symptoms and/or treatment resistant symptoms and educate other health providers about war related illnesses and injuries. We collect and store data from WRIISC patients for analysis in order to provide information to clinicians treating combat veterans. Stored data includes brain scans, neuropsychological tests, and other information from the patient's clinical evaluation.
This project is not recruiting subjects who are not referred to the WRIISC clinical evaluation program.
- Sleepless Warriors: Improving sleep in Veterans with a history of concussion
Principal Investigators: Ansgar Furst, PhD
Coordinators: Rayma Williams, Rebecca Williams
Description: The purpose of this fully virtual study is to compare two types of non-drug therapies for insomnia to determine if one is more helpful for improving sleep. You may be eligible for this study if you have suffered a concussion or mild head injury, and have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This research is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is conducted in collaboration with Stanford University. Participation will require 9 virtual weekly “visits” and one 6 month follow-up virtual appointment. We offer compensation for each visit for a total of up to $325.
Study Phone: (650) 852-3426
Website: http://med.stanford.edu/sleepless-warriors/participate.html.
