Art Therapy and Emotional Well Being in Military Populations With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Last updated: January 6, 2026
Sponsor: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Pain

Insomnia

Migraine (Pediatric)

Treatment

Art Therapy

Clinical Study ID

NCT05414708
2021-13476
  • Ages 18-64
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Art therapy is used across the Military Health System for treatment of posttraumatic symptoms, but there is limited research on how art therapy is able to restore emotional expression and regulation in service members. This research hopes to learn about the effects of art therapy on emotional expression and regulation in service members as well as the neurological systems at work. If a participant chooses to be in this study, he or she will attend eleven sessions over a period of six to eight months. The first session will be an interview and self-assessment questionnaires to collect information on a variety of symptoms, experiences, and personality traits, and an MRI scan. During the MRI scan, participants will be asked to perform a task where they will be shown a series of neutral and negative images. The following eight sessions will be one-hour art therapy sessions with a certified art therapist. The tenth session will consist of the same self-assessment questionnaires and another MRI scan. The final session will consist of some of the same questionnaires from the tenth visit, as well as a qualitative interview done virtually three months after the tenth visit.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • DEERS Eligible

  • Active Duty or Veteran separated within the past 10 years

  • Significant posttraumatic stress symptoms (score of >/=31 on the PCL-5)

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of moderate, severe, or penetrating brain injury

  • History of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or active suicidal or homicidalideation

  • History of multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, or Alzheimer's disease

  • History of stroke or myocardial infarction

  • History of brain tumor

  • History of seizures

  • Contradictions for MRI (for example, participants will be excluded for pregnancy,metal implants or suspected shrapnel, aneurysm/intracranial clips, cardiacpacemakers or implanted programmable devices or pumps)

  • Unable to provide informed consent

  • History of previous exposure to art therapy

  • Active substance use disorder

Study Design

Total Participants: 40
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Art Therapy
Phase:
Study Start date:
February 01, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2027

Study Description

Art Therapy is used across the Military Health System (MHS) as part of interdisciplinary treatment programs with great success, but there is limited research on how this art therapy works. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to learn about the effects of art therapy on emotional expression and regulation in service members as well as the impact of art therapy on brain systems. If a participant chooses to be in this study he or she will attend eleven sessions over a period of six to eight months. The first session and tenth sessions of this research study will include interviews and self-assessment questionnaires to collect information on a variety of symptoms, experiences, and personality traits, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. During the MRI scan, participants will be asked to perform a task where they will be shown a series of neutral and negative images. These sessions will be about 2.5 to 3 hours. The sessions two through nine will include a one-hour art therapy sessions with a certified art therapist. The art therapy sessions are also considered research interventions. The eleventh and final session will consist of some of the same questionnaires from the tenth visit, as well as a qualitative interview done virtually three months after the tenth visit.

There is the risk that participants may experience increased psychological or emotional distress or frustration when discussing traumatic events during either the art research intervention sessions or during the questionnaires or interviews. Participants may experience a reduction in symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress (PTS), mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and/or other psychological heath disorders through the art therapy process. However, there is no guarantee that participants will benefit from being in this research. As an alternative to this research, participants can talk to your physician about art therapy or other therapeutic options.

Connect with a study center

  • National Intrepid Center of Excellence

    Bethesda, Maryland 20814
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • National Intrepid Center of Excellence

    Bethesda 4348599, Maryland 4361885 20814
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • ISC at Fort Belvoir

    Fort Belvoir 7257902, Virginia 6254928 22060
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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