Guitars for Vets: Evaluating Psychological Outcome of a Novel Music Therapy

Background:

Post traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition for persons who have served in
the Armed services during combat or deployment. Treatments include medications, cognitive
behavioral therapy, and other social support mechanisms.

Our aim in this project is to critically evaluate the effects of a novel music therapy
intervention on the symptoms of PTSD.

Objectives:

To assess the effectiveness of a novel music therapy on ammelorating the effects of PTSD.
Specifically a 6 week guitar training program under the direction of seasoned instructors
through a partnership with Guitars for Vets will be assessed before and after intervention.

Methods:

In this trial we will recruit veterans in the Milwaukee region and the Zablocki VA Medical
Center with significant PTSD symptoms. Forty subjects will be recruited and randomized to
either an immediate entry or a 6 week delayed entry group. Both groups will receive the
intervention, but the delayed group will receive it after a 6 week period.

Each subject will receive a guitar that they can keep after the study, music, supplies and
instructions. They will each have an hour of individual training each week and a weekly
group instruction session. We will, in this pilot trial, assess study participation,
dropout rates, and symptom improvement.

Status:

The study is starting now.