Clinical Benefits of a Novel Sleep-focused Mind-body Program on Gulf War Illness (GWI) Symptoms

Investigating Clinical Benefits of a Novel Sleep-focused Mind-body Program on Gulf War Illness (GWI) Symptoms: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical benefits of a novel sleep-focused mind-body program on Gulf War Illness (GWI) symptoms.

This randomized study investigates whether two treatment conditions:Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) and Supportive Education (SED) are effective in improving sleep disturbance and self-reported indicators of other co-morbid symptoms in veterans with GWI. The two treatment conditions will each comprise 3 sessions of 2 hr. duration and conducted over 3 consecutive weeks (Week 1-3).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Veteran from First Gulf War

• Suffering from sleep disturbance

• Has other chronic symptoms of Gulf War Illness:

  • fatigue
  • chronic headaches
  • joint/muscle pain
  • cognitive difficulties
  • memory/concentration problems
  • shortness of breath
  • gastrointestinal symptoms

Exclusion Criteria:

• terminally ill
• a highly unstable medical or psychiatric condition
• Parkinson disease
• dementia of any cause
• Nocturia
• delayed/advanced sleep phase syndrome
• Narcolepsy