In spite of the large amount of "hype" that accompanied virtual reality (VR) earlier this decade, the field has produced only a few examples of demonstrably useful systems. Systems must be fielded and validated to show that VR is useful for purposes other than academic research. This paper discusses two VR systems developed at the Naval Research Laboratory that have received validation by stati...

The purpose of this article is to raise nurses' awareness of the significance and potential public health impact of combat-related blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT) in U.S. troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. A comprehensive review of the current literature on BINT was completed by the author, based primarily on combat-related blast exposure in the military population. She found that it ...

The present study examined behavioral health outcomes, risk behaviors, aggression, alcohol misuse, marital satisfaction, and attitudes toward reintegration associated with an alternative, front-loaded reintegration strategy compared with a more standardized reintegration process in soldiers returning from combat deployments. The type of reintegration strategy used did not predict differences in...

This study rationally and scientifically examines the similarities between the emotional numbing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alexithymia. A clinical database from the Iowa City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center consisting of data from 274 combat veterans was used. Significant positive correlations were found between measures of PTSD, alexithymia, and combat ...

BACKGROUND Abnormally large cavum septum pellucidum has been reported in posttraumatic stress disorder; however, the origin of this association is uncertain. METHODS We utilized magnetic resonance imaging to measure cavum septum pellucidum in pairs of identical twins discordant for combat exposure in Vietnam. RESULTS Presence of abnormal cavum septum pellucidum was significantly correlated ...

Insomnia and nightmares are hallmarks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sleep disturbances in PTSD negatively impact clinical course and functioning. In this open clinical trial, the preliminary effects of a combined treatment for insomnia and nightmares in combat veterans with PTSD were assessed. Ten combat veterans participated in a 10-session group treatment combining cognitive-behavi...

Several functional neuroimaging studies have implicated the cerebellar vermis in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there have been no structural neuroimaging studies of this brain structure in PTSD. We utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with manual tracing to quantify the volumes of three divisions of the mid-sagittal vermis, and their total, within an identical, co-twin control...

Counterinsurgency (COIN) has become the cornerstone of the military's strategy to combat terrorist threats. COIN operations are complex and often expose soldiers to unfamiliar stressors as they fight the enemy while developing and maintaining rapport with the local populace. Utilizing a retrospective record review protocol, we examined 282 mental health files of soldiers assigned to a brigade c...

Previous research documented the elevated risk of suicide and suicidal ideation among Vietnam veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of the current study was to examine which Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, PTSD symptom clusters are most associated with suicidal ideation in this population. Fifty Vietnam combat veterans enrolled in tr...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most widespread mental illness resulting from exposure to combat, necessitating an increase in the provision of group therapy. This pilot study examined the efficacy of, and treatment outcome predictors associated with, group inpatient treatment of combat-related PTSD. Participants included 38 active duty military personnel deployed during Operation ...