VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on wound healing, service dogs and PTSD treatment engagement

VA’s Office of Research and Development recently published three News Briefs highlighting a new substance that could improve wound healing, service dogs for Veterans with PTSD and a peer-led PTSD treatment engagement program.

New hydrogel could improve wound healing

Philadelphia VA researchers developed a new hydrogel that could improve wound healing by making it easier to control the release of medication within the body. Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels can promote soft tissue wound healing by delivering medications and cell therapies directly into the injury, but it is difficult to control the speed at which these treatments are released in the body.

The researchers attached a protein called streptavidin to a hydrogel, which binds to the vitamin biotin and allows for the encapsulation and controlled release of medication. This technique allowed researchers to tailor the speed of medication release and to deliver different treatments during separate stages of healing. Streptavidin-infused hydrogels are a promising new platform to promote tissue regeneration and improve wound healing.

View the full study from “Acta Biometerialia.”

Service dogs have calming effect on Veterans with PTSD

Researchers from the National Center for PTSD demonstrated that the presence of a service dog reduced physical stress responses to loud noises in Veterans with PTSD.

Veterans in residential treatment for PTSD and participating in a service dog training program were exposed to loud, unpleasant sounds over four to six weekly sessions, with their service dogs being present half the time. Having the dog nearby led to smaller heart rate and sweating changes in Veterans with hyperarousal symptoms, suggesting the dogs had a passive calming effect.

The service dogs also helped Veterans recover from and get used to the loud noises faster. The results suggested service dogs can help regulate physical stress levels in Veterans with PTSD in addition to calming emotional distress.

View the full study from “Psychophysiology.”

Peer-led program improves PTSD treatment engagement

A peer-led psychoeducation group improved treatment engagement and mental health symptoms in Veterans with PTSD. Syracuse VA researchers implemented PTSD101 in a VA PTSD specialty clinic to address Veterans’ reluctance to begin trauma-focused therapy. The structured group program consisted of seven 90-minute sessions covering civilian readjustment; effects of trauma; trust, safety, and self-care; coping and healing; survival strategies and relationships; substance use and medication; and PTSD treatment.

Veterans who participated in the group program were more likely to begin new evidence-based PTSD treatments and also showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and illness management strategies. The findings suggest peer-led group education classes could help engage Veterans with PTSD who are wary of trauma-focused therapy.

View the full study from “Psychological Services.”

For more Office of Research and Development updates, visit ORD online or go to https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/.