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PTSDNCT05421494

The Effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD

A study testing written exposure therapy-revised version in people with PTSD and Subclinical PTSD, run by Peking University at 1 site in China.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

Study 1: The goal of this study is to use a pilot RCT to assess the effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy (WET) and a mindfulness-based app (MBA) for managing PTSD and comorbid insomnia in China. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
PTSD, Subclinical PTSD
What is being tested?
written exposure therapy-revised version
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
135 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
15 Jun 2022to 10 Dec 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adult male and female aged between 18-65 years old; A diagnosis of PTSD or subthreshold PTSD (PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5, PSSI-5); If currently taking psychotropic medication, taking a stable one for at least 4 weeks; A smartphone owner and no obstacle to the Now Meditation App; Scoring 12 or more on Insomnia Severity Index (ISI; the symptoms appear after the diagnosis of full/subthreshold PTSD).
  • Adult male and female (aged between 18-65 years old)
  • A diagnosis of PTSD or subclinical PTSD (PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5, PSSI-5), meeting the following criteria: Meeting full criteria for re-experiencing and at least 2 of 3 other symptom clusters (i.e., avoidance, negative cognitions, or hyperarousal)
  • If currently taking psychotropic medication, taking a stable one for at least 4 weeks
  • Having the ability to write and comprehend the writing guidelines

Who cannot join

  • A diagnosis of bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder; Current substance dependence; Evidence of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (as determined by the obstacle to comprehending the baseline screening questionnaires); Serious suicidal ideation (as determined by the Scale for Suicidal Ideation); Other psychiatric disorders severe enough to warrant designation as the primary disorder; Taking psychotherapy for PTSD currently.
  • Study 2:
  • A diagnosis of bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder
  • Current substance dependence
  • Evidence of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (as determined by the obstacle to comprehending the screening questionnaires)
  • Serious suicidal ideation (as determined by the MINI interview)
  • Taking psychotherapy for PTSD currently

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

China1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Peking University

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100871

    Yinyin Zang, +86-010-62756953, yinyin.zang@pku.edu.cn

    Yinyin Zang, PhD

    Recruiting

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: The Effectiveness of Online Revised Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Randomized Controlled Trials

Study 1: The goal of this study is to use a pilot RCT to assess the effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy (WET) and a mindfulness-based app (MBA) for managing PTSD and comorbid insomnia in China. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  1. Does WET alone reduce PTSD symptoms in Chinese patients with PTSD and subthreshold PTSD?
  2. Does the addition of MBA to WET lead to greater reductions in comorbid insomnia symptoms compared to WET alone?
Read more

45 participants will be allocated to MCC, WET, and WET+MBA on a 1:1:1 ratio. Researchers will compare WET alone and MCC to see if WET provides benefits in managing PTSD. Researchers will compare WET plus MBA and WET group to see if the integrated MBA treatment provides additional benefits in managing insomnia.

Study 2: The study aims to examine the effectiveness of the online revised written exposure therapy (WET-R) for PTSD and subclinical PTSD among Chinese adults with a randomized controlled trial. The study will recruit 90 participants, with 60 randomized to the online WET-R group, and 30 randomized to the minimal contact control (MCC) group. The WET-R intervention consists of 5-7 one to one sessions. The primary outcome PTSD Symptom Scale - Interview for DSM-5 (PSSI-5) will be administered on baseline, post-treatment, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up assessments.

Being tested
written exposure therapy-revised version, minimal contact control
Keywords
PTSD, written exposure therapy, randomized controlled trial, online intervention, online psychotherapy
Medical subject headings
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • written exposure therapy-revised versionBehavioural

    WET-R is a manualized exposure-based therapy program consisting of 5-7 sequential individual sessions. The interval between every 2 consecutive sessions is 0-3 days. There will be 5-7 one to one online sessions in total (only one index trauma will be discussed), and 1-3 weeks to complete. Sessions are scheduled to last for 1 hour in the first session and 50 minutes in other sessions.

  • minimal contact controlBehavioural

    Participants assigned to MCC will be asked to not work with other therapists or seek additional treatment for trauma-related difficulties during the 3-week MCC period. They will be video-called once per week by a therapist to monitor their status and to provide support as needed. The calls will be limited to 10-15 minutes. MCC participants will also be given contact information to use in case of worsening symptoms or increasing distress.

Study groups in NCT05421494
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
study2: WET-RExperimentalNot described
Receives: Behavioral: written exposure therapy-revised version
study 2: MCCPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Behavioral: minimal contact control
study 1: WETExperimentalWritten Exposure Therapy (WET) is a manualized exposure-based therapy involving five sequential weekly individual sessions. Each session lasts approximately 40 minutes except the first, which is one hour. In the initial session, the therapist explains the treatment rationale and guides the participant to write about their traumatic experience uninterrupted for 30 minutes. Subsequent sessions start with a brief discussion about the previous session's writing, followed by another 30-minute writing session, concluding with a short check-in. There is no homework between sessions.
Receives: Behavioral: written exposure therapy-revised version
study 1: WET+MBAExperimentalWET + MBA combines the standard WET protocol with the addition of a mindfulness practice facilitated through a mobile app called "Now Meditation." This app is among the most downloaded mindfulness apps in China, used to help manage symptoms of insomnia commonly comorbid with PTSD. Participants are instructed to engage in daily mindfulness exercises according to the app's "7-Day Basic Meditation" program and continue practicing mindfulness throughout the duration of the therapy. This is intended to supplement the therapeutic effects of WET by providing tools to manage insomnia and potentially enhancing the therapeutic process by fostering greater mindfulness and relaxation.
Receives: Behavioral: written exposure therapy-revised version
study 1: MCCPlacebo comparatorMCC contains weekly phone calls from a study therapist to monitor their status and provide support as needed, without introducing any specific therapeutic interventions. These calls are brief, generally lasting between 10 to 15 minutes, and are strictly for the purpose of engagement and safety monitoring rather than therapeutic intervention.
Receives: Behavioral: minimal contact control

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. study 2: Change from Baseline of PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5(PSSI-5) at Posttreatment

    The PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5 (PSSI-5), a 24-item clinician-administered interview, will be used for PTSD diagnosis and measure PTSD symptom severity. The PSSI-5 rates the frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms in the past 4 weeks on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The PSSI-5 has demonstrated excellent reliability and validity but takes less time than the gold standard mostly used, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS5).

    Measured: 3 weeks

  2. study 2: Change from Baseline of PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5(PSSI-5) at the First Follow-Up

    The PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5 (PSSI-5), a 24-item clinician-administered interview, will be used for PTSD diagnosis and measure PTSD symptom severity. The PSSI-5 rates the frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms in the past 4 weeks on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The PSSI-5 has demonstrated excellent reliability and validity but takes less time than the gold standard mostly used, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS5).

    Measured: 7 weeks

  3. study 2: Change from Baseline of PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5(PSSI-5) at the Second Follow-Up

    The PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5 (PSSI-5), a 24-item clinician-administered interview, will be used for PTSD diagnosis and measure PTSD symptom severity. The PSSI-5 rates the frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms in the past 4 weeks on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The PSSI-5 has demonstrated excellent reliability and validity but takes less time than the gold standard mostly used, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS5).

    Measured: 15 weeks

  4. study 2: Change from Baseline of PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5(PSSI-5) at the Third Follow-Up

    The PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5 (PSSI-5), a 24-item clinician-administered interview, will be used for PTSD diagnosis and measure PTSD symptom severity. The PSSI-5 rates the frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms in the past 4 weeks on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The PSSI-5 has demonstrated excellent reliability and validity but takes less time than the gold standard mostly used, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS5).

    Measured: 27 weeks

  5. study 1: PTSD symptom severity

    The reduction in PTSD symptoms will be measured using the PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5 (PSSI-5). This clinician-administered interview assesses the frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much).

    Measured: Assessed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up periods.

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. study 1: Insomnia Severity

    The reduction in the severity of insomnia symptoms will be assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). This 7-item self-report measurement evaluates the severity of insomnia symptoms, the level of satisfaction with sleep, interference with daily functioning, noticeability of impairment attributed to sleep problems, and the level of distress caused by the sleep disturbance. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale, providing a comprehensive measure of insomnia severity.

    Measured: Insomnia severity is assessed at baseline, weekly during the 5-week treatment period, and at the immediate post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up assessments.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Jun 2022
  2. Study start15 Jun 2022
  3. Primary completion10 Jun 2024
  4. Study completion10 Dec 2024 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
135 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05421494
Sponsor's protocol ID
WET-R for PTSD
Status last verified
Oct 2024
First submitted
9 Jun 2022
Last updated
16 Oct 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing written exposure therapy-revised version in people with PTSD and Subclinical PTSD, run by Peking University at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Oct 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Yinyin Zang, PhD (+86 15553201610, yinyin.zang@pku.edu.cn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

study 2: Change from Baseline of PTSD Symptom Scale, Interview Version for DSM-5(PSSI-5) at Posttreatment (time frame: 3 weeks). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Oct 2024.

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