AngerNCT02882802
Mindfulness for Anger in Veterans With PTSD
A study testing Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Trauma Recovery Education Class in people with Anger and Aggression, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Research has consistently shown that Veterans with PTSD are more likely to experience higher levels of anger and commit aggressive acts compared to Veterans without PTSD. Given the significant negative impact that anger and aggression can have on the lives of Veterans, their families, and society at large, there is a… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Anger, Aggression
- What is being tested?
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Trauma Recovery Education Class
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 61 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2017to 31 Jan 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must meet current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) diagnostic criteria for PTSD (participants with sub-threshold levels of PTSD will also be allowed to participate).
- Participants must also indicate current difficulties with anger and aggression.
Who cannot join
- Participants with a current diagnosis of psychotic disorder or current substance use disorder with severe symptoms.
- Participants diagnosed with bipolar II disorder without psychotic features and/or individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder who are well-controlled on medication will be allowed to participate. Individuals with bipolar disorder who do not fall into either of these categories will be excluded.
- Participants also must not have a seizure disorder.
- Participants are allowed to be taking psychotropic medications, however they must be on a stable dose for at least 2 months.
- Participants who do not have a working and active e-mail account and access to a smart phone or computer will be excluded.
- Finally, participants must not currently be receiving concurrent individual therapy or group therapy focused on anger and aggression, must not be currently receiving any evidence-based treatment for PTSD, and must not currently be participating in the modified TREC group offered at the West Haven VA Medical Center.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT
West Haven, Connecticut, 06516-2770
About this study
Official title: Mindfulness Treatment for Anger in Veterans With PTSD
Research has consistently shown that Veterans with PTSD are more likely to experience higher levels of anger and commit aggressive acts compared to Veterans without PTSD. Given the significant negative impact that anger and aggression can have on the lives of Veterans, their families, and society at large, there is a great need to examine novel interventions that could decrease anger and aggression risk with this population. Mindfulness may be one such technique, given its effectiveness in assisting individuals in regulating difficult emotions and in decreasing physiological reactivity, which have both been implicated in PTSD and aggression perpetration. Findings showing that a mindfulness intervention is effective in reducing anger and aggressive behavior would be relevant for Veterans with PTSD experiencing such difficulties and would help prevent the detrimental consequences that can come from anger and aggression among these individuals.
Read the detailed description
Military Veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been shown to exhibit increases in aggressive urges, difficulties managing anger, and difficulties controlling violent behavior. Dysregulated anger and aggression can create fear and distress in spouses, family members, and friends resulting in strained and deteriorated relationships, and can have a detrimental impact on Veterans' social, occupational and other important areas of functioning. In addition, more severe forms of aggression and violent behavior (i.e., homicide) in the community have been observed among Veterans with PTSD, as recently reported in several news media outlets. The seriousness of this problem is underscored by the high rates of alcohol use observed among Veterans with PTSD which further increases anger and the risk of aggressive behavior.
Current therapeutic interventions may not be effective in reducing anger and aggressive behavior among Veterans with PTSD due to the lack of techniques that directly target symptoms most strongly associated with aggression, particularly hyperarousal and physiological reactivity. Furthermore, existing interventions may not be effective in assisting individuals achieve awareness and insight into their anger states, necessary for the effective management of anger and aggression. Mindfulness is rooted in Eastern meditation practices and has been successfully used to decrease stress, pain, anxiety, and depression. In civilian samples, mindfulness interventions have been found to be effective in reducing anger and aggression. To date, mindfulness for anger and aggression has not been examined in Veterans with PTSD.
The primary objective of the proposed investigation is to conduct a pilot randomized control trial to examine the initial efficacy of an established mindfulness intervention, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in decreasing anger and aggression in Veterans with PTSD. The proposed investigation also seeks to examine potential mechanisms of action that account for its effects. Sixty Veterans with PTSD experiencing problems with anger and aggression will be recruited. These individuals will complete a baseline assessment to assess self-reported levels of anger and aggression. They will then be randomly assigned to participate in an online (i.e., virtual) PTSD psychoeducational course or MBSR. After completing treatment, all participants will complete a post-treatment assessment to assess changes in anger and aggression.
At a later date and time, participants will also be asked to attend an in-person laboratory session where they will engage in a trauma-imagery procedure followed by a task designed to assess provoked aggression. In addition to examining whether participation in MBSR decreases self-reported levels of anger and aggression, this study will examine whether MBSR decreases aggression in participants after being exposed to trauma reminders in vivo. Potential mechanisms of action of MBSR and its effects on additional outcomes also will be explored.
- Conditions
- Anger, Aggression
- Being tested
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Trauma Recovery Education Class
- Keywords
- anger, aggression
- Medical subject headings
- Aggression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mindfulness Based Stress ReductionBehavioural
Also called MBSR
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a group-based intervention in which participants are taught different mindfulness meditation practices, including body scan (focusing attention to different areas of the body in sequence), sitting meditation (focusing attention to one's breathing), and Hatha yoga postures (focusing attention to different body sensations during gentle stretching). Participants also are taught how to practice mindfulness while engaging in ordinary activities including walking, standing, and eating. MBSR consists of 8, two-hour weekly sessions and will be delivered in group format. MBSR groups will be delivered virtually.
Trauma Recovery Education ClassBehavioural
Also called TREC
Trauma Recovery Education Class (TREC): TREC is a group based treatment that focuses on providing information on PTSD and traumatic reactions. TREC provides psycho-education to Veterans on PTSD, including common reactions to trauma and the role of avoidance, common problems associated with PTSD, as well as common barriers to care (e.g., stigma, maladaptive beliefs, fear). Additional content focuses on problem identification and goal setting, discussion of current problems and life issues, and treatment planning. TREC consists of 8, one-hour weekly sessions. TREC groups will be delivered virtually.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction | Experimental | Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a group-based intervention in which participants are taught different mindfulness meditation practices, including body scan (focusing attention to different areas of the body in sequence), sitting meditation (focusing attention to one's breathing), and Hatha yoga postures (focusing attention to different body sensations during gentle stretching). Participants also are taught how to practice mindfulness while engaging in ordinary activities including walking, standing, and eating. MBSR consists of 8, two-hour weekly sessions and will be delivered in group format. MBSR groups will be delivered virtually. Receives: Behavioral: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction |
| Trauma Recovery Education Class | Active comparator | Trauma Recovery Education Class (TREC): TREC is a group based treatment that focuses on providing information on PTSD and traumatic reactions. TREC provides psycho-education to Veterans on PTSD, including common reactions to trauma and the role of avoidance, common problems associated with PTSD, as well as common barriers to care (e.g., stigma, maladaptive beliefs, fear). Additional content focuses on problem identification and goal setting, discussion of current problems and life issues, and treatment planning. TREC consists of 8, one-hour weekly sessions. TREC groups will be delivered virtually. Receives: Behavioral: Trauma Recovery Education Class |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
State Anger Scale
Self-report measure of overall state anger using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 15-60; higher scores indicate greater state anger.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Trait Anger Scale
Self-report measure of trait anger using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 10-40; higher scores indicate greater trait anger.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Anger Expression In
Self-report measure of anger expression inward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of experiencing anger but not expressing (i.e., suppressing) anger.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Anger Expression Out
Self-report measure of anger expression outward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of expressing anger verbally or physically.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Anger Control In
Self-report measure of anger control inward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of attempting to control anger feelings by calming down or cooling off.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Anger Control Out
Self-report measure of anger control outward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of controlling outward expression of angry feelings.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Anger Expression Index
Total Anger score on the STAXI-2. Score range: 0-96; higher scores indicate greater expression of anger.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Buss Perry Total Aggression Score
Self-report measure of total aggression using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 29-203; greater scores indicate greater total aggression.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Buss Perry Physical Aggression
self-report measure assessing physical aggression using Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 9-63; greater scores indicate greater total physical aggression.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Buss Perry Verbal Aggression Score
self-report measure assessing verbal aggression using Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 5-35; greater scores indicate greater total verbal aggression.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Buss Perry Anger Scale
self-report measure of anger using the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 7-49; greater scores indicate greater total anger.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Buss Perry Hostility Scale
self-report measure of hostility using the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 8-56; greater scores indicate greater total hostility.
Measured: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Provoked Aggression Subscale 1
An experimental lab-based paradigm designed to assess provoked aggression, the Taylor Reaction Time Task. This subscale determines whether participants' aggression increased, decreased, or remained the same across four blocks of trials (six trials within each block). Scores range from 0-11 within each trial, with higher scores indicating worse outcome. Each of the six trials within each block are averaged together.
Measured: within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments
Provoked Aggression Subscale 2
An experimental lab-based paradigm designed to assess provoked aggression, the Taylor Reaction Time Task. This subscale determines participants' initial levels of aggression. Participants can choose from the following response options: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10 or 20, with higher scores indicating greater initial levels of aggression.
Measured: within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Aug 2016 (estimated)
- Study start1 Dec 2017
- Primary completion31 Jan 2023
- Study completion31 Jan 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for AngerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by VA Office of Research and DevelopmentThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 61 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Sponsor type
- US federal agency
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Lorig Kachadourian, PhD MA, Principal investigator, VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02882802
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CLNA-006-15F
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Jul 2016
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Mindfulness Treatment for Anger in Veterans With PTSD
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02882802
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CLNA-006-15F
- Conditions
- Anger, Aggression
- Keywords
- anger, aggression
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 61 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and DevelopmentUS federal agency
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Aug 2016 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 1 May 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Research has consistently shown that Veterans with PTSD are more likely to experience higher levels of anger and commit aggressive acts compared to Veterans without PTSD. Given the significant negative impact that anger and aggression can have on the lives of Veterans, their families, and society at large, there is a great need to examine novel interventions that could decrease anger and aggression risk with this population. Mindfulness may be one such technique, given its effectiveness in assisting individuals in regulating difficult emotions and in decreasing physiological reactivity, which have both been implicated in PTSD and aggression perpetration. Findings showing that a mindfulness intervention is effective in reducing anger and aggressive behavior would be relevant for Veterans with PTSD experiencing such difficulties and would help prevent the detrimental consequences that can come from anger and aggression among these individuals.
Detailed description
Military Veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been shown to exhibit increases in aggressive urges, difficulties managing anger, and difficulties controlling violent behavior. Dysregulated anger and aggression can create fear and distress in spouses, family members, and friends resulting in strained and deteriorated relationships, and can have a detrimental impact on Veterans' social, occupational and other important areas of functioning. In addition, more severe forms of aggression and violent behavior (i.e., homicide) in the community have been observed among Veterans with PTSD, as recently reported in several news media outlets. The seriousness of this problem is underscored by the high rates of alcohol use observed among Veterans with PTSD which further increases anger and the risk of aggressive behavior.
Current therapeutic interventions may not be effective in reducing anger and aggressive behavior among Veterans with PTSD due to the lack of techniques that directly target symptoms most strongly associated with aggression, particularly hyperarousal and physiological reactivity. Furthermore, existing interventions may not be effective in assisting individuals achieve awareness and insight into their anger states, necessary for the effective management of anger and aggression. Mindfulness is rooted in Eastern meditation practices and has been successfully used to decrease stress, pain, anxiety, and depression. In civilian samples, mindfulness interventions have been found to be effective in reducing anger and aggression. To date, mindfulness for anger and aggression has not been examined in Veterans with PTSD.
The primary objective of the proposed investigation is to conduct a pilot randomized control trial to examine the initial efficacy of an established mindfulness intervention, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in decreasing anger and aggression in Veterans with PTSD. The proposed investigation also seeks to examine potential mechanisms of action that account for its effects. Sixty Veterans with PTSD experiencing problems with anger and aggression will be recruited. These individuals will complete a baseline assessment to assess self-reported levels of anger and aggression. They will then be randomly assigned to participate in an online (i.e., virtual) PTSD psychoeducational course or MBSR. After completing treatment, all participants will complete a post-treatment assessment to assess changes in anger and aggression.
At a later date and time, participants will also be asked to attend an in-person laboratory session where they will engage in a trauma-imagery procedure followed by a task designed to assess provoked aggression. In addition to examining whether participation in MBSR decreases self-reported levels of anger and aggression, this study will examine whether MBSR decreases aggression in participants after being exposed to trauma reminders in vivo. Potential mechanisms of action of MBSR and its effects on additional outcomes also will be explored.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction | Experimental | Behavioral: Mindfulness Based Stress ReductionMindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a group-based intervention in which participants are taught different mindfulness meditation practices, including body scan (focusing attention to different areas of the body in sequence), sitting meditation (focusing attention to one's breathing), and Hatha yoga postures (focusing attention to different body sensations during gentle stretching). Participants also are taught how to practice mindfulness while engaging in ordinary activities including walking, standing, and eating. MBSR consists of 8, two-hour weekly sessions and will be delivered in group format. MBSR groups will be delivered virtually. |
| Trauma Recovery Education Class | Active comparator | Behavioral: Trauma Recovery Education ClassTrauma Recovery Education Class (TREC): TREC is a group based treatment that focuses on providing information on PTSD and traumatic reactions. TREC provides psycho-education to Veterans on PTSD, including common reactions to trauma and the role of avoidance, common problems associated with PTSD, as well as common barriers to care (e.g., stigma, maladaptive beliefs, fear). Additional content focuses on problem identification and goal setting, discussion of current problems and life issues, and treatment planning. TREC consists of 8, one-hour weekly sessions. TREC groups will be delivered virtually. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Participants must meet current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) diagnostic criteria for PTSD (participants with sub-threshold levels of PTSD will also be allowed to participate).
- Participants must also indicate current difficulties with anger and aggression.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participants with a current diagnosis of psychotic disorder or current substance use disorder with severe symptoms.
- Participants diagnosed with bipolar II disorder without psychotic features and/or individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder who are well-controlled on medication will be allowed to participate. Individuals with bipolar disorder who do not fall into either of these categories will be excluded.
- Participants also must not have a seizure disorder.
- Participants are allowed to be taking psychotropic medications, however they must be on a stable dose for at least 2 months.
- Participants who do not have a working and active e-mail account and access to a smart phone or computer will be excluded.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness Based Stress ReductionAlso: MBSRMindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a group-based intervention in which participants are taught different mindfulness meditation practices, including body scan (focusing attention to different areas of the body in sequence), sitting meditation (focusing attention to one's breathing), and Hatha yoga postures (focusing attention to different body sensations during gentle stretching). Participants also are taught how to practice mindfulness while engaging in ordinary activities including walking, standing, and eating. MBSR consists of 8, two-hour weekly sessions and will be delivered in group format. MBSR groups will be delivered virtually. | Behavioural | Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction |
| Trauma Recovery Education ClassAlso: TRECTrauma Recovery Education Class (TREC): TREC is a group based treatment that focuses on providing information on PTSD and traumatic reactions. TREC provides psycho-education to Veterans on PTSD, including common reactions to trauma and the role of avoidance, common problems associated with PTSD, as well as common barriers to care (e.g., stigma, maladaptive beliefs, fear). Additional content focuses on problem identification and goal setting, discussion of current problems and life issues, and treatment planning. TREC consists of 8, one-hour weekly sessions. TREC groups will be delivered virtually. | Behavioural | Trauma Recovery Education Class |
Primary outcome
State Anger Scale
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Self-report measure of overall state anger using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 15-60; higher scores indicate greater state anger.
Trait Anger Scale
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Self-report measure of trait anger using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 10-40; higher scores indicate greater trait anger.
Anger Expression In
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Self-report measure of anger expression inward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of experiencing anger but not expressing (i.e., suppressing) anger.
Anger Expression Out
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Self-report measure of anger expression outward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of expressing anger verbally or physically.
Anger Control In
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Self-report measure of anger control inward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of attempting to control anger feelings by calming down or cooling off.
Anger Control Out
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Self-report measure of anger control outward using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Score range: 8-32; higher scores indicate greater frequency of controlling outward expression of angry feelings.
Anger Expression Index
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Total Anger score on the STAXI-2. Score range: 0-96; higher scores indicate greater expression of anger.
Buss Perry Total Aggression Score
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
Self-report measure of total aggression using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 29-203; greater scores indicate greater total aggression.
Buss Perry Physical Aggression
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
self-report measure assessing physical aggression using Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 9-63; greater scores indicate greater total physical aggression.
Buss Perry Verbal Aggression Score
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
self-report measure assessing verbal aggression using Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 5-35; greater scores indicate greater total verbal aggression.
Buss Perry Anger Scale
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
self-report measure of anger using the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 7-49; greater scores indicate greater total anger.
Buss Perry Hostility Scale
Time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment
self-report measure of hostility using the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Scores range from 8-56; greater scores indicate greater total hostility.
Provoked Aggression Subscale 1
Time frame: within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments
An experimental lab-based paradigm designed to assess provoked aggression, the Taylor Reaction Time Task. This subscale determines whether participants' aggression increased, decreased, or remained the same across four blocks of trials (six trials within each block). Scores range from 0-11 within each trial, with higher scores indicating worse outcome. Each of the six trials within each block are averaged together.
Provoked Aggression Subscale 2
Time frame: within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments
An experimental lab-based paradigm designed to assess provoked aggression, the Taylor Reaction Time Task. This subscale determines participants' initial levels of aggression. Participants can choose from the following response options: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10 or 20, with higher scores indicating greater initial levels of aggression.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Lorig Kachadourian, PhD MA principal investigator
VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Trauma Recovery Education Class in people with Anger and Aggression, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 1 May 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
State Anger Scale (time frame: Baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, within 8 weeks following the completion of either of the two treatments (i.e., post-treatment), and within 5 months after completing the post-treatment assessment). The study lists 14 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 31 Oct 2026.