Travis Mills retreat linked to better veteran and couple outcomes in interim study

Interim results from the RESILIENCE Study show that seriously injured post-9/11 veterans and their spouses or partners reported improved wellbeing and relationship satisfaction after a family-inclusive retreat run by the Travis Mills Foundation. The findings, presented in San Antonio, suggest the benefits may extend beyond the veteran to the couple as a unit.

Why it matters: - The interim data point to a retreat model that may improve both veteran wellbeing and family relationships after serious injury. - The results matter because many post-9/11 veterans report post-traumatic stress and family strain after leaving the military. - The findings suggest family-inclusive care may address needs that standard veteran-only support can miss.

What happened: - Interim results from the RESILIENCE Study were presented at the 11th Annual San Antonio Combat PTSD Conference in San Antonio, Texas. - The study found improved energy, emotional wellbeing, and post-traumatic growth among seriously injured post-9/11 veterans after a Travis Mills Foundation recalibration retreat. - Spouses and partners reported higher relationship satisfaction after participating in the retreat with the veterans. - The presentation was titled “Recalibration and Reconnection: Immediate and Durable Improvements in Veteran Wellbeing and Couple Relationship Satisfaction Following a Family-Inclusive Retreat Program.” - Peter Hurwitz, president of Clarity Science, LLC, delivered the presentation.

The details: - Veterans showed improved energy and fatigue scores with a large effect size of d=0.91, and 84% improved. - Veterans reported better emotional wellbeing with d=0.67. - Veterans’ overall health-survey scores improved with d=0.56, and 77% improved. - Post-traumatic growth rose among veterans with d=0.45. - Spouses and partners showed improved relationship satisfaction at one week with d=0.71, and 83% improved. - At the longest follow-up, 73% of spouses and partners still showed improved relationship satisfaction, with p=0.001. - Relationship distress among spouses and partners fell from 34% to 22%. - Changes in veteran and partner satisfaction were positively correlated, with r=0.28. - Most gains persisted at the longest follow-up, and relationship satisfaction was the most consistent effect over time. - The interim analysis included 45 veterans and 42 spouses or partners. - The study used validated instruments including the RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, and the Couples Satisfaction Index. - RESILIENCE is an observational, prospective survey study conducted under Institutional Review Board oversight. - The Travis Mills Foundation is based in Rome, Maine, and hosts retreats for post-9/11 veterans with disabilities and their spouses or partners. - Previous research found that 66% of seriously injured post-9/11 veterans report post-traumatic stress, and three in four report family strain after leaving the military. - Clarity Science LLC is a contract research organization headquartered in Narragansett, Rhode Island. - More information is available in the foundation's announcement. - Clarity Science says its studies run under independent IRB oversight and its findings have appeared in peer-reviewed journals. - More information is available at Clarity Science.

Between the lines: - The results emphasize the couple as the unit of recovery, not just the veteran. - The correlation between veteran and partner satisfaction suggests shared benefit from attending the retreat together. - The findings are interim and observational, so they show association rather than proof of causation. - Hurwitz said the data are encouraging and that more results from comparison group subjects are expected in the coming months. - Craig Buck, executive director of the Travis Mills Foundation, said the organization places families at the heart of its work and sees the retreat as a chance for veterans and spouses to reconnect.

What's next: - The study team plans to share more data in the coming months, including results from comparison group subjects. - Further analysis will help determine whether the early improvements hold up as the study continues. - The Travis Mills Foundation is likely to keep using family-inclusive retreats as part of its support model.

The bottom line: - The interim study suggests the Travis Mills Foundation's retreat program may help improve both veteran recovery and couple relationships at the same time.