RESTORE LIVES

Research to Improve Emotional Health and Quality of Life Among Service Members with Disabilities (RESTORE LIVES) includes five substudies housed at the University of South Florida College of Nursing in Tampa, FL and will focus on service members and veterans with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).

ONLINE ACCEPTANCE & COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT) Co-Principal Investigators: John P. Forsyth, PhD Edward Hickling, PsyDThe web-based ACT program is being offered to OEF/OIF veterans. This confidential therapy aims to improve mental health and psychosocial functioning, as well as quality of life, by teaching skills that are broadly applicable to promote resilience and psychological well-being (e.g., mindfulness, acceptance, self-compassion, and forgiveness). This is a self-paced online program.

ACCELERATED RESOLUTION THERAPY (ART) Co-Principal Investigators: Kevin E. Kip, PhD, FAHA Laney Rosenzweig, LMFT Carrie Elk, PhD, LMHC, CTEThis in-person therapy is for veterans who have symptoms of psychological trauma (i.e. posttraumatic stress symptoms). The therapy is confidential and is not diagnosis-based. Enrollees undergo between 1-5 sessions of psychotherapy that use a combination of sets of lateral left/right eye movements and talk therapy. The study aims to reduce symptoms of PTSD and related difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and sleep dysfunction.

MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) TELE-REHABILITATIONPrincipal Investigator: Heather Belanger, PhDThis confidential self-paced, web-based educational program is being offered for service members, veterans, and civilian participants who are experiencing post-concussive symptoms following mild TBI. The study aims to reduce symptoms associated with mild TBI and improve overall quality of life.

ASSESSMENT OF BASE RATES OF PTSD, HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS, AND IMPAIRMENTCo-Principal Investigators: Edward Hickling, PsyD John P. Forsyth, PhDThis confidential survey uses an Unmatched Count Technique (UCT) to determine accurate base rates of PTSD, mental health difficulties, and use and abuse of alcohol and controlled substances among military personnel. The study is enrolling OEF/OIF active duty service members and veterans.

NURSING HEALTH INITIATIVE FOR EMPOWERING WOMEN VETERANSPrincipal Investigator: Maureen Groer, RN, PhD, FAAN This project is providing a formal day of recognition and services for female veterans within the Tampa Bay and Sarasota area. It includes but is not be limited to acknowledgement of contributions made by our female veterans, and a range of services (e.g. stress management training, wellness profiling, health risk assessments, screenings for cholesterol, nutritional assessment, massages, facials, pedicures, and mental health screening and referral). Family members of female veterans will be invited to attend.

“Our veterans served our country with pride and dignity and now deserve the very best medical care. Post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury impact too many of our brave soldiers. The USF College of Nursing is a national leader in military healthcare research, which also benefits our greater community.”Kathy Castor United States Representative 11th District of Florida

“This research project has the potential to greatly benefit our student-veterans and has the support of the USF Office of Veterans Services,” Lt. Col. (Ret.) Lawrence A. Braue, EdD Director, Veterans Services Office of Veterans Services University of South Florida

“The RESTORE LIVES research project at the USF College of Nursing is a great example of the university, military and VA partnering together to make the lives of our US Veterans better. This project is right on target!”Lt. Gen. Martin R. Steele, USMC (Ret.) Executive Director, Military Partnerships USF World Military Partnerships Office University of South Florida

“Our principal goal is to aid our courageous military personnel. With this research funding, we aim to evaluate and ultimately provide evidence for novel, flexible, and rapid methods to treat emotional problems and related symptoms that arise from serving in combat operations.”Kevin E. Kip, PhD, FAHA Principal Investigator RESTORE LIVES College of Nursing University of South Florida

“We are proud of our long-standing education and research relationship with the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida. Through RESTORE LIVES a world class team of experts are researching revolutionary new therapies that will have far reaching effects into veterans’ health care and rehabilitation, here in Tampa Bay and across the nation.” Laureen Doloresco, MN, RN, NEA-BC Associate Director, Patient Care/Nursing Services James A. HaleyVeterans Hospital

Made possible through the Research to Improve Emotional Health and Quality of Life among Service Members with Disabilities (RESTORE LIVES) grant awarded and administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center at Fort Detrick, MD, under contract number W81XWH-10-1-0719.

MAKING LIFE BETTER BY HELPING VETERANS HEAL FROM TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES AFTER COMBAT

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF NURSING

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF NURSING

12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 22

Tampa, FL 33612-4766HEALTH.USF.EDU/NURSING

Helping service members and veterans heal from symptoms of combat exposure, including post traumatic stress and mild traumatic brain injury, is the focus of Research to Improve Emotional Health and Quality of Life among Service Members with Disabilities (RESTORE LIVES). Through RESTORE LIVES the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida is conducting five studies investigating state-of-the art therapies that complement services to the military provided by the VA Healthcare System, TRICARE, and the conventional health care system.

CREATING THE NURSING LEADERS OF TOMORROW AND THE RESEARCH THAT IMPROVES HEALTH

Kevin E. Kip, PhD, FAHA Director, USF Nursing Research Center Principal Investigator, RESTORE LIVES kkip@health.usf.edu (813) 974-9266

Carrie Elk, PhD, LMHC, CTE Military Liaison, USF College of NursingCo-Investigator, RESTORE LIVES celk@health.usf.edu (813) 396-9200

RESTORE-LIVESCENTER.ORG