SPONSORHIP OF NURSING RESEARCH & EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROJECTS

2025 Awards
 

1. Comparative Analysis of Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Military Pilots: An Epidemiological Study Using  Military Health Data (High Priority Award)
   A retrospective population-based cohort study using a large military dataset to analyze the epidemiological profile of injuries across critical anatomical regions and in relation to aircraft type, with the rationale of identifying meaningful gaps and differentiate plausible best practices in epidemiology, prevention and rehabilitation of pilots. It is pivotal to tailor strategies for MSK injury to ensure readiness and resilience of all warfighters.
   Dr. Laura Talbot, Col(ret), LTC Tanekkia Taylor-Clark, LTC Vanessa J. Ramirez
   University of Tennessee Health Science Center
   Memphis, TN
    

2. Musculoskeletal Injury, Mental Health, and Treatment Seeking among Active-Duty Service Members on Temporary Limited Duty (High Priority Award)
   The purpose of this proposed cross-sectional study is to investigate the interplay between musculoskeletal injury, mental health or both, health service use beliefs and time spent on temporary limited duty. Improving ADSM operational readiness through efficient screening of MI, MH or both, as well as enhancing treatment referral and removing treatment-seeking barriers, are all goals driven by the overall aim of enhancing overall force preparedness.
   CDR Shawna Grover, CDR Stuart Hitchcock, CAPT Michael Franks
   Naval Medical Research Center Portsmouth
   Portsmouth, VA
    

3. The Role of Insomnia and Suicidality in Predicting Return to Full Duty in Military Service Members on Limited Duty (High Priority Award)
   The primary purpose of this proposed epidemiologic retrospective cross-sectional study is to investigate the interplay between insomnia and suicide. Having a better understanding potentially modifiable and treatable risk factors, such as insomnia, that may predict functional/resilience military outcomes may have important implications for preventing suicidality and its adverse sequelae in Active service military populations and for maintaining operational readiness.
   CDR Shawna Grover, CAPT Michael Franks
   Naval Medical Research Center Portsmouth
   Portsmouth, VA
    

4. Time-dependent Effects of Anesthetics on Systemic Stress Response (High Priority Award)
   Anesthesia is an inevitable part of surgical care, especially under battlefield traumatic conditions. Emerging evidence shows that anesthesia can have effects on stress markers, independent of the underlying traumatic condition. Mechanistic understanding of the systemic stress response will lead to a better management of adverse effects and improved clinical outcomes. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) has application in combat medicine because it accomplishes the goal of general anesthesia while decreasing the equipment necessary with the use of inhalation anesthetics. TIVA using ketamine and midazolam provides sedation, amnesia, analgesia in treating combat trauma patients. Understanding the effect of different anesthetic drugs on the systemic stress response is critical to nursing anesthesia care in advanced operations with limited access to physiological monitoring.
   COL Peter Attilio
   Navy Medical Research Unit
   San Antonio, TX
    

5. Wearable Non-invasive Intracranial Pressure Monitoring Technology (Initial Research)
   The purpose of this study is to evaluate neuro-capacitive signals obtained from non-invasive carbon nanotube-based paper composite sensors to determine if they provide significant and quantifiable correlations to invasive reference ICP measurements. These preclinical results will pave the way for future innovative non-invasive technologies to improve care for warfighters following a severe traumatic brain injury.
   CAPT Kennett Radford, USN, NC
   Uniformed Services University
   University of Washington
    

6. Determining the relationships between Resonant Leadership, Burnout, and Physical and Psychological Health Symptoms among Active Duty Army Nurses (Graduate Award)
   This prospective, cross-sectional study seeks to fill three specific gaps in research: 1) determining the prevalence of Resonant Leadership and burnout among active-duty Army nurses, 2) exploring differences in these variables based upon various demographic characteristics, and 3) clarifying the relationships between Resonant Leadership, burnout, and self-reported health symptoms.
   MAJ Mollie Christiansen
   University of Colorado at Denver
    

7. Audiovisual Stimulation(AVS) to Improve Sleep, Pain, Fatigue and Well-being in Military Service Members (MSM) with Chronic Pain and Insomnia: A 3-arm Randomized Controlled Trial (Follow-On Award)
   Chronic pain and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent and frequently comorbid conditions among U.S. military service members (MSM). Their bidirectional influence on one another has been shown to increase fatigue, job stress, and mental health symptoms. Furthermore, the importance of sleep to MSMs working in technical occupations and operating in high-risk environments that require mental clarity and alertness is critical to operational effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of AVS: on sleep and insomnia symptoms in MSMs with chronic pain; on fatigue risk scores; and pre- and post- intervention changes in mental and physical health outcomes. 
   Dr Ann Nayback-Beebe, COL (RET)
   Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio Military Medical Center

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2024 Awards

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1. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids as a Possible Treatment of PTSD-like Fear Symptoms in Females Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury  (Graduate Research)
   
   The purpose of this study will be to examine the effect of ALA on PTSD-like symptoms in a preclinical murine model following an mTBI. The secondary aim is to determine the effect of ALA on anxiety-like behavior and the preservation of inhibitory neurons in the structures of the brain that aid emotional regulation and extinction learning. 
   Major Kathryn Capple, USAF, NC
   Uniformed Services University
   Bethesda, MD
    

2. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and CCR5/CCL5 in Hippocampus Post Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries: PTSD Memory Linking Implications (Graduate Research)
   The purpose of the study is to utilize a murine model to investigate the temporal dynamics of CCR5 and CCL5 mRNA changes following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and their effect on the closure of the memory-linking process while also exploring the therapeutic potential of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in mitigating mTBI effects. This investigation aims to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of PTSD following mTBI. 
   LT Choang Lai, USN, NC
   Uniformed Services University
   Bethesda, MD
    

3. Acquisition of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Skills Using an Escape Room (Graduate EBP) 
   The purpose of this project is to provide military critical care nurses with an escape room skill validation platform to address the need for a hands-on training component for nurses attempting to gain competency and self-efficacy with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in low-volume facilities.
   Major Jennifer Armon
   University of Nevada-Reno
   Reno, NV
    

4. Non pharmacologic Sleep Interventions for Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (High Priority Award) 
   Insomnia is a common sleep disorder among service members and affects approximately 40% of active-duty military personnel. Unique to the military are deployment-related stressors such as combat exposure, irregular sleep-wake schedules, and austere environments. Each of these stressors can contribute to the development of acute and chronic insomnia. Further, insomnia can exacerbate stressors and is a risk factor for developing traumatic stress reactions, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide. Insomnia also contributes to impaired cognitive function, higher risk of accidents, injuries, and co-occurring mental health conditions. The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis will be to review the efficacy of non-pharmacologic sleep interventions for service members, reservists, and US National Guard members that are versatile for use during deployment, at home station and in prolonged casualty care scenarios. 
   Dr. Heather King CAPT(ret)
   University of Tennessee Health Science Center
   Knoxville, TN
    

5. Effect of Intraosseous vs. Intravenous Lidocaine in a Cardiac, Hypovolemic Arrest Model (High Priority Award)
   Hemorrhage is the number one cause of death both on and off the battlefield.However, establishing intravenous (IV) access may be challenging and very time-consuming, particularly for patients who are in hypovolemic shock, even for the most skilled clinician. For every minute of delay in resuscitation, there is a decrease of 9 percent in achieving ROSC. It is imperative that researchers find the most effective and fastest route in administering resuscitation drugs to achieve ROSC. This study will provide data-based evidence for the most effective and least amount of epinephrine to achieve ROSC.
   Dr. Arthur Johnson, Col(ret)
   Naval Medical Research Unit
   San Antonio, TX
    

6.  Female Warfighter Urogenital Health: An Invisible Barrier to Promoting and Maximizing Comprehensive Integration, Operational and Warfare Capability, and Long-Term Participation in Military Service
   The purpose of this research is to: 1) establish the direct effect of a field hygiene and urogenital health education intervention and the mediating effect of health literacy on sex-specific urogenital health knowledge; 2) determine the direct effect of a female urinary diversion (FUDD) training intervention and the mediating effect of health literacy on FUDD knowledge; and 3) comprehensively evaluate the performance of Freshette® FUDD 2nd (F2) and 3rd generation (F3) devices in an austere environment, including education and training effectiveness, biofilm microorganism growth and community composition, urogenital infection (UGI) association, and user usage preference.
   Dr. Elizabeth A. Kostas-Polston, PhD
   LTC Rachel Cepis
   Lt Col Heather Hubbard
   MAJ Alison Patton
   LTC Deanna Sheets
   Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
   William Beaumont Army Medical Center - Fort Bliss, TX
   Womack Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX
    

7. Enhancing Military Nursing Operational Skill Sets through the Combat Anesthesia Readiness and Training Course (CART-C)
   The purpose of this project is for military CRNAs to maintain proficiency in operational environment anesthesia care and skills. This leads to the PICO question: Among military CRNAs (P), does a three-day training and simulation course in operational anesthesia (I) impact self-reported confidence in emergency response (C) and performance of critical anesthesia tasks on combat casualties (O)?
   LTC Janet Sims, DNP
   United States Army Graduate Program of Anesthesia Nursing
   Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston
   San Antonio, TX
    

8. Does Anesthetic Type Predict Morbidity for Traumatic Injury Patients in a Prolonged Field Care Environment? (Novice Research)
   The aims of this study are 1) to determine whether the risk of patient morbidity differs between the groups, based on markers of cellular perfusion and infection; and 2) to evaluate whether the risk of patient morbidity differs between the groups, based on markers of inflammation and stress.
   LTC Lisa Post
   Tri-Service Research Laboratory (TSRL)
   U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN)
   United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)
   Bethesda, MD
    

9. Infection Control in Tomorrow's Battlefield: Assessing the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Disinfection of an Army Field Hospital During Prolonged Casualty Care (Novice Research)
   The purpose of this study is to assess current practices regarding infection control within the Army field hospital and determine if UV-C is effective at reducing the bacteria burden within the various settings of the field hospital.
   MAJ Chandler Moser
   Madigan Army Medical Center
   Tacoma, WA

2023 Awards
 

1. The Effects of Ketamine Administration on Synaptic Density following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in an Animal Model (Graduate Research)
   The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of ketamine infusion following mTBI on two key outcomes: synaptic density in brain tissue and stress hormone levels in blood. This may lead to a clinically relevant means for nurses to intervene in early mTBI progression, improving patient outcomes.
   CDR Martin L. Boese, USN, NC
   Uniformed Services University
   Bethesda, MD
    

2. A Musculoskeletal Training Program for US Army Infantry Initial Entry Trainees (Graduate EBP)
   The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to implement a neuromuscular and strength training program to reduce new lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries in infantry initial trainees at Ft Benning, GA. PICOT: Among initial entry infantry trainees (P), does a musculoskeletal program, including neuromuscular re-education, plyometrics, core stabilization, and strength training (I) compared to the current training program (C), influence graduation rate, lost training time, and new acute lower body musculoskeletal injuries rates (O) during the 22 weeks of basic training (T).
   CPT Richkard Saint Louis, AN, USA
   197th Infantry Brigade
   University of Alabama at Birmingham
   Birmingham, AL
    

3. Nurse Retention Among Army Nurse Corps Officers (Graduate Research)
   The aims of the study are  to explore how concepts within the military nurse ecosystem influence active-duty Army nurses’ intentions to stay in the military nurse profession and explore how concepts within the military nurse ecosystem related to military policy influence active-duty Army nurses’ intentions to stay in the military nurse profession.
   MAJ Stephanie Kessinger
   Martin Army Community Hospital
   The University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz Medical Campus
   Aurora, CO
    

4. Health and Strength: Randomized Controlled Trial of Spiritually Integrated Treatment for Moral Injury and Moral Distress in Military Healthcare Providers (Follow On Research)
   The aim of this study is to use a crossover design trial to determine the effectiveness of the BSS intervention at reducing moral injury, moral distress, and intent to leave and increasing generalized resilience and moral resilience in participants completing a 90-minute weekly group session delivered over 6 weeks compared to waitlist control group participants in a military nursing personnel sample.
   COL Angela Simmons
   Air Force Research Laboratory
   Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
   Bethesda, MD
    

5. USMC Drill Instructors’ Eating and Making Weight Behaviors: A Mixed Methods Study (Novice Research)
   The purpose of this study is to examine eating and making weight behaviors of United States Marine Corps (USMC) Drill Instructors (DIs) within the context of USMC culture and body composition and military appearance program (BCMAP) standards.
   CAPT (S) Melissa Troncoso
   Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA
   Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC
    

6. Development of a BioChip for Rapid Detection of Urinary Tract Infection (High Priority Research)
   This project aims to develop and validate a portable point-of-care lab-on-a-chip device that can simultaneously identify 12 common urinary tract infection (UTI) pathogens in urine samples within 30 minutes. The results will be visible to naked eyes without requiring any additional reading equipment or  power.
   Lt Col Sarah Huffman
   David Grant Air Force Medical Center
   Fairfield, CA
    

7. Spinal Delta and Kappa Opioid Receptor Heteromers as a Target for Pain Reduction (Novice Research)
   This study investigates whether δ/κ heteromers in the spinal cord are viable targets for treating  pain. The incidence of pain conditions among members of the U.S. military after combat deployment is nearly double that of the general population. While currently available opioid medications that target individual opioid receptors have considerable potential to reduce pain, they also possess dangerous side effects and abuse liability that limit their utility and benefit to the patient. Individual δ (delta) and κ (kappa)-opioid receptors can join together to form a combined receptor (heteromer) that represents a novel therapeutic target and responds differently than individual opioid receptors. When activated in peripheral nerves, this heteromer has demonstrated the potential to reduce pain in animal models without causing respiratory depression or other dangerous side effects, making it an exciting target for pain  control.
   LTC Jonathan Yost
   University of Texas Health Science Center
   San Antonio, TX
    

8. Effects of Temperature Extremes on Medications in an Austere Environment (Novice Research)
   The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of heat and cold exposure on these agents and determine if there is a negative impact on their effectiveness. To date, no study has examined the effect of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on medications commonly used by anesthesia providers in the field.
   LTC John Reed
   Eisenhower Army Medical Center
   Fort Eisenhower, GA
    

9. Activity and Mobility Promotion (AMP) Program (EBP)
   The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) initiative is to implement a system-level early mobility program to enhance patient recovery by increasing mobility in the acute care setting at  Tripler Army Medical Center.
   MAJ Wendy Hamilton
   Tripler Army Medical Center
   Honolulu, HI
    

10. Effects of Acupuncture for Perceived Stress and Health in Military Service Members (Novice Research)
    The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a Manual Standardized Stress Acupuncture (MSSA) protocol as an adjunct treatment to a short-term mindfulness therapy for perceived stress and general health in service members (i.e., active duty military personnel and veterans).
    Dr. Jane Abanes, CDR (ret)
    Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA
    University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
     

11. A Delphi Study To Identify Military Unique Competencies For Combat Palliative And End-Of-Life Care
    (High Priority)
    The overall purpose of the study will be to examine nurses’ perceptions of military unique palliative and EOL competencies needed for are in austere, changing, and mass casualty situations in a theater of operations and in stateside care nursing.
    Dr. Deborah Kenny Lt Col(ret)
    University of Colorado-Denver
    Denver, CO
     

12. Exploring Women's Health Issues in the US Military Reserves using the Social Ecological Model for Military Women’s Health (High Priority)
    The purpose of this study is to develop theoretically informed, evidence-based guidance for health policy decision-makers to improve the medical readiness of female RCSM.
    Dr. Lori Trego Col (ret)
    University of Colorado-Denver, Denver, CO
    Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
     

13. Anticipating Future Combat Needs: Radiation Burn Training for Nurses (High Priority)
    This study aims to adapt the existing Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) curriculum to focus on nurse response to a radiological incident within a operational or austere environment, and to examine the elements of cognitive readiness despite uncertainty in caring for patients involved in radiological incidents.
    Major Angela Samosorn, USA, NC
    59th Medical Group, Joint Base San Antonio
    Lackland, TX
     

14. Severe Burn Nursing Care in Large Scale Combat Operations: A Qualitative Study (High-Priority)
    The aims of this study are to: 1) describe the experience of military nurses who cared for severe burn patients in theater, and 2) analyze accounts from military nurses who cared for severe burn patients in theater in order to provide recommendations for training and future direction concerning severe burn nursing care in large scale combat operations.
    Dr. Catherine Cox CAPT (ret)
    George Washington University
    Washington, DC
     

15. Rehabilitative Interventions for Flight associated MSK Injury in Military Pilots/Crew: Systematic Review/Meta Analysis (High Priority)
    Dr. Laura Talbot Col(ret)
    University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    Memphis, TN​​

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