NCT04731519

Development of a Recovery Oriented Treatment for Post-Acute Suicidal Episode (PASE) Veterans

Recruiting now NA Last updated 13 March 2026

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Continuous Identity Cognitive Therapy (CI-CT) in Suicide in 57 participants. Currently enrolling.

Timeline

22 February 2022

Primary endpoint
23 September 2026

17 March 2027

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	VA Office of Research and Development
Phase	NA
Status	Recruiting now
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	none
Primary purpose	other
Enrollment	57
Start date	22 February 2022
Primary completion	23 September 2026
Estimated completion	17 March 2027
Sites	1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

• Continuous Identity Cognitive Therapy (CI-CT)
• General Health Education

Conditions studied

• Suicide — all drugs for Suicide →

Sponsor

VA Office of Research and Development — full company profile →

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Suicide. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Mental health care for Veterans with suicidal symptoms is of paramount import to the VA. Unfortunately, VA suicide reports show suicide rates increasing, suggesting a need for enhancing current VA suicide mental health care efforts. While several psychotherapeutic treatments exist for acute suicidality, there are few treatments designed to help Veterans following an acute suicidal episode (Post-Acute Suicidal Episode; PASE), particularly after acute risk declines but when they still have ongoing mental health needs and, at times, long-term suicidal symptoms. Available suicide treatments are not designed to promote the recovery and rehabilitation of PASE Veterans. This is a significant gap in comprehensive suicide-focused mental health care. One avenue to close this gap lies through the development of a recovery-focused psychotherapy for PASE Veterans. Developing recovery-oriented care, "a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential" is a VA priority; however, available treatments for suicidal Veterans do not place a strong focus on recovery. Decades of research have shown the importance of increasing Veterans hopefulness about the future, developing a positive self-identity, promoting Veterans' sense of self-empowerment and improving relationships. Continuous Identity-Cognitive Therapy (CI-CT) is a promising new manualized suicide intervention focused on improving Veterans sense of their life story and personal future, with goals similar to recovery-oriented care.

The proposed study will assess and enhance the CI-CT treatment materials using Veteran feedback and acceptability and feasibility data. Then, with the guidance of scientific and Veteran consumer advisory boards, use these results to update the treatment. Findings will be used to make an updated adaptation of the treatment materials and to develop a research protocol for a pilot RCT of CI-CT for PASE Veterans. This study will develop and pilot test a well-specified, group-based intervention tailored to the unique needs of PASE Veterans. The results of the proposed study will provide data to 1) identify adaptations needed to optimize CI-CT for PASE Veterans: 2) identify possible benefits of CI-CT; 3) inform development of a pilot RCT of CI-CT for PASE Veterans.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Evaluating continuous identity cognitive therapy for veterans with a recent suicidal episode: An open-label group pilot study.
   Sokol Y, Glatt S, Andrusier S, Levin C, et al · · 2025 · PMID 41403475 · DOI 10.1016/j.conctc.2025.101576