Trial Outcomes & Findings for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans With PTSD (NCT NCT04567680)

NCT ID: NCT04567680

Last Updated: 2026-02-13

Results Overview

The Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report (SAS-SR) is a 54-item measure of current social functioning in 6 domains: Work; Social and Leisure; Extended Family; Primary Relationship; Parental; and Family Unit. The Social and Leisure scale is the primary measure of change in social functioning for the study. Lower scores indicate better functioning. Scores on this scale range from 1-5.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

107 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline, End of Treatment (12 weeks), 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

Results posted on

2026-02-13

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited from the VA Bedford Healthcare System, the VA Denver Healthcare System, and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. Primary sources of recruitment were presentations to mental health services, flyers around the hospitals, tabling events, and targeted mailings to potential participants. Recruitment occurred from March 2021-February 2024.

Potential participants met with study staff to review the informed consent and conduct a baseline intake. Participants who signed consent participated in clinician-rated assessments and completed self-report measures. A detailed inclusion/exclusion criteria checklist was used to determine whether Veterans were eligible for the study. When individuals did not qualify for or chose not to participate in the study, reasons were documented and mental health resources were provided.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Overall Study STARTED	61	46
Overall Study COMPLETED	51	41
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	10	5

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans With PTSD

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 Participants This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 Participants PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.	Total n=107 Participants Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous	50.5 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.8 • n=41 Participants	53.5 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.8 • n=1581 Participants	52.1 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.8 • n=4626 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Female	10 Participants n=41 Participants	10 Participants n=1581 Participants	20 Participants n=4626 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Male	51 Participants n=41 Participants	36 Participants n=1581 Participants	87 Participants n=4626 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native	0 Participants n=41 Participants	1 Participants n=1581 Participants	1 Participants n=4626 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Asian	2 Participants n=41 Participants	1 Participants n=1581 Participants	3 Participants n=4626 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0 Participants n=41 Participants	0 Participants n=1581 Participants	0 Participants n=4626 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American	12 Participants n=41 Participants	1 Participants n=1581 Participants	13 Participants n=4626 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) White	38 Participants n=41 Participants	36 Participants n=1581 Participants	74 Participants n=4626 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race	4 Participants n=41 Participants	4 Participants n=1581 Participants	8 Participants n=4626 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	5 Participants n=41 Participants	3 Participants n=1581 Participants	8 Participants n=4626 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Hispanic or Latino	6 Participants n=41 Participants	7 Participants n=1581 Participants	13 Participants n=4626 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Not Hispanic or Latino	50 Participants n=41 Participants	36 Participants n=1581 Participants	86 Participants n=4626 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	5 Participants n=41 Participants	3 Participants n=1581 Participants	8 Participants n=4626 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, End of Treatment (12 weeks), 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

The Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report (SAS-SR) is a 54-item measure of current social functioning in 6 domains: Work; Social and Leisure; Extended Family; Primary Relationship; Parental; and Family Unit. The Social and Leisure scale is the primary measure of change in social functioning for the study. Lower scores indicate better functioning. Scores on this scale range from 1-5.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 Participants This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 Participants PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Change in the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report Baseline	3.384 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 0.674	3.344 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 0.894
Change in the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report End of Treatment (12 weeks)	2.974 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 0.78	2.99 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 0.85
Change in the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report 3-month follow-up	3.15 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 0.822	3.061 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 0.896
Change in the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report 6-month follow-up	2.842 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 0.73	3.139 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.077

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, End of Treatment (12 weeks), 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

Social Support: The MOS Social Support Survey is a 19-item multidimensional, self-administered survey of social support for individuals with chronic conditions. It includes four functional support scales, including emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, and positive social interaction. A higher score for an individual scale or for the overall support index indicates more support. Scores range from 1-5.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 Participants This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 Participants PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Change in the MOS Social Support Survey Baseline	2.922 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.057	3.061 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.141
Change in the MOS Social Support Survey End of Treatment (12 weeks)	3.2 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.168	3.171 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.138
Change in the MOS Social Support Survey 3-month follow-up	3.1 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.0	3.449 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.158
Change in the MOS Social Support Survey 6-month follow-up	3.056 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.097	3.093 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 1.128

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, End of Treatment (12 weeks), 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

Quality of Life: The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) is a commonly used self-report measure to assess quality of life in several domains: general activities, physical health, subjective feelings, leisure time activities, social relationships, work, and household duties. The minimum raw score on the Q-LES-Q-SF is 14, and the maximum score is 70. Higher scores indicate greater life satisfaction and enjoyment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 Participants This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 Participants PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Change in the Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire Baseline	39.65 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 8.479	37.089 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 10.231
Change in the Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire End of Treatment (12 weeks)	46.063 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 9.534	43.269 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 8.384
Change in the Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire 3-month follow-up	46.458 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 8.915	43.333 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 9.178
Change in the Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire 6-month follow-up	46.5 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 9.464	45.158 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 10.642

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, End of Treatment (12 weeks), 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) is a structured interview that will be used to diagnose PTSD and to obtain data (pre and post treatment, follow-up) on the frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms. The CAPS-5 is the gold standard for assessing PTSD. CAPS-5 scores range from 0 to 80 with higher scores indicating greater PTSD symptom severity.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 Participants This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 Participants PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Change in the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) Baseline	43.441 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 11.119	43.957 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 10.692
Change in the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) End of Treatment (12 weeks)	29.7 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 18.734	28.04 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 13.196
Change in the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) 3-month follow-up	27.5 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 18.205	28.789 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 14.972
Change in the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) 6-month follow-up	30.571 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 18.646	24.75 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 14.458

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, End of Treatment (12 weeks), 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up

The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure of PTSD symptoms, selected for its dimensional sensitivity, with higher scores reflecting greater PTSD severity. A total symptom severity score (range - 0-80) can be obtained by summing the scores for each of the 20 items.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 Participants This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 Participants PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Change in the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) Baseline	51.033 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 10.313	52.109 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 10.403
Change in the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) End of Treatment (12 weeks)	38.781 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 16.576	35.308 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 13.931
Change in the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) 3-month follow-up	37.25 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 18.774	33.826 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 16.672
Change in the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) 6-month follow-up	37.333 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 15.846	35.632 Units on a Scale Standard Deviation 18.733

Adverse Events

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support

Serious events: 1 serious events

Other events: 2 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Present-Centered Therapy

Serious events: 4 serious events

Other events: 3 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 participants at risk This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 participants at risk PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Cardiac disorders Participant admitted to the hospital for chest pain.	1.6% 1/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	0.00% 0/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Infections and infestations Participant hospitalized for strep infection	0.00% 0/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	2.2% 1/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Psychiatric disorders Participant admitted to a hospital for suicidal ideation	0.00% 0/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	2.2% 1/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Renal and urinary disorders Participant admitted to the hospital for a kidney stone	0.00% 0/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	2.2% 1/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Infections and infestations Participant admitted to hospital with abdominal pain	0.00% 0/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	2.2% 1/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support n=61 participants at risk This treatment is designed to help Veterans with PTSD increase social support in family, partner, and peer relationships by reducing experiential avoidance. ACT-SS is specifically designed to address deficits in the entire social support network for Veterans with PTSD.	Present-Centered Therapy n=46 participants at risk PCT is designed to provide the emotional support for individuals with PTSD that will assist with recovery. The focus of PCT is on the "here and now," including current life difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to the experience of trauma. PCT aims to help the patient consider ways to react to these difficulties.
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications Coccyx injury	1.6% 1/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	0.00% 0/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Gastrointestinal disorders Nausea and diarrhea	1.6% 1/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	0.00% 0/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Infections and infestations Epididymitis	0.00% 0/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	2.2% 1/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Psychiatric disorders Suicidal ideation	0.00% 0/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	2.2% 1/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.
Psychiatric disorders Panic attack	0.00% 0/61 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.	2.2% 1/46 • Adverse events were collected from enrollment to the 6-month follow-up. Adverse events were collected by systematic assessment using an adverse events reporting measure.

Additional Information

Megan M. Kelly, Ph.D., Research Investigator, VA Bedford Healthcare System

VA Bedford Healthcare System

Phone: 781-687-3317

Email: [email protected]

Results disclosure agreements

Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
Publication restrictions are in place