CompletedNot Applicable

Collaborative Specialty Care for Gulf War Illness

United States281 participantsStarted 2020-08-24

Plain-language summary

Gulf War Veterans (GWVs) with Gulf War Illness (GWI) do not receive the care they should in the Veterans Affairs (VA). The investigators' data show 70% of GWVs with Gulf War Illness (GWI) do not receive treatment recommendations for their GWI and 78% are NOT very satisfied with their care. The quality of care GWVs receive must improve. VA and DoD have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to develop new treatments for GWVs, without effective delivery methods GWVs will not benefit. This study will be the first study to examine the best model of care to deliver treatments to GWVs with GWI. Determining the best model of care to translate research into practice is a key goal of the VA Gulf War Strategic Plan and a specific aim of this Request for Applications.

Who can participate

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm * meets Kansas City (Steele) definition of GWI (which excludes conditions that may account for GWI) * rates their activity limitations from pain at least 3 on a 0 to 10 point scale * has a VA primary care provider Exclusion Criteria: * suicidal intent * previous evaluation at the WRIISC or participated in our clinical trial for GWVs with GWI

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial is measuring disability using the Roland Morris Disability Scale and the WHO Disability Schedule — can you help me understand what those scales actually measure and whether my current symptoms would show up meaningfully in those assessments?
2Since this trial is listed as 'active, not recruiting,' it's no longer enrolling new participants — are there other ongoing or upcoming studies on Gulf War Illness that I might be eligible for, or is collaborative specialty care something we could pursue outside of a trial setting?
3The trial is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's testing a care delivery model rather than a drug — can you explain what 'collaborative specialty care' involves in practice, and how it differs from the treatment approach you're already offering me?
4Given that Gulf War Illness can involve a wide range of symptoms like chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues, does this trial's focus on disability outcomes mean it might be better suited for people at a certain stage or severity of illness compared to where I am right now?
5If collaborative specialty care shows a benefit for Gulf War Illness, is that an approach you could incorporate into my care now, even though I can't enroll in this specific trial?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Roland Morris Disability Scale

Timeframe: 6 months

World Health Organization Disability Schedule

Timeframe: 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04403295

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-11

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Gulf War Illness trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.