Vicarious TraumaVPTG-RCTNCT07677527
Efficacy of Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention for Nurses in Emergency Units
A study testing Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention in people with Vicarious Trauma and Psychological Distress, run by Fatima Jinnah Women University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth (VPTG) Intervention among nurses working in emergency units. Emergency nurses are frequently exposed to traumatic events through patient care, which may contribute to vicarious trauma and psychological distress. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Vicarious Trauma, Psychological Distress, Post-Traumatic Growth, Psychological
- What is being tested?
- Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 1 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Registered nurses currently employed in emergency departments.
- Minimum six months of emergency department work experience.
- Able to read and understand English or Urdu.
- Willing to provide informed consent.
- Available to participate throughout intervention and follow-up assessments.
Who cannot join
- Current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder requiring intensive treatment.
- Current participation in trauma-focused psychotherapy.
- Cognitive impairment affecting study participation.
- Planned transfer from emergency unit during study period.
- Refusal to provide informed consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Nishtar Hospital, Burn Unit (NMH), Multan Institute of Cardiology (MIC), Bakhtawar Amin Hospital, Multan, Khawaja Fareed Social Security Hospital
Multan, 59070
SEERAT FATIMA, 03066605577, seeratfatima554@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention for Nurses in Emergency Units: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth (VPTG) Intervention among nurses working in emergency units. Emergency nurses are frequently exposed to traumatic events through patient care, which may contribute to vicarious trauma and psychological distress. The intervention is designed to facilitate positive psychological growth, resilience, adaptive coping, and psychological well-being while reducing the adverse impact of indirect trauma exposure. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up periods to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting vicarious post-traumatic growth and reducing vicarious trauma among emergency nurses.
Read the detailed description
Emergency nurses regularly encounter critically ill, injured, and dying patients, exposing them to repeated indirect traumatic experiences. Such exposure can lead to vicarious trauma, emotional exhaustion, and psychological distress. However, exposure to trauma may also contribute to positive psychological changes referred to as vicarious post-traumatic growth.
This study evaluates the efficacy of a structured Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention developed specifically for nurses working in emergency units. The intervention integrates psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, resilience enhancement strategies, emotional regulation skills, stress management techniques, and peer support activities.
A randomized controlled trial design will be employed. Eligible nurses will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants will complete baseline assessments before intervention implementation. Outcome measures will be reassessed immediately after completion of the intervention and during follow-up assessments.
Primary outcomes include reduction in vicarious trauma and enhancement of vicarious post-traumatic growth. Secondary outcomes include resilience, coping strategies, psychological well-being, and occupational functioning. Findings may contribute to the development of evidence-based psychological support programs for nurses working in high-stress healthcare settings.
- Conditions
- Vicarious Trauma, Psychological Distress, Post-Traumatic Growth, Psychological, Psychological Well-being
- Being tested
- Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention
- Keywords
- Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth, Emergency Nurses, Randomized Controlled Trial, Resilience, Vicarious Trauma, Mental Health, Psychological Intervention, Coping Strategies
- Medical subject headings
- Compassion Fatigue, Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth InterventionBehavioural
A structured psychoeducational and behavioral intervention designed to promote vicarious post-traumatic growth and reduce vicarious trauma among emergency nurses. The intervention incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, mindfulness practices, resilience-building exercises, psychoeducation regarding vicarious trauma, stress management strategies, reflective activities, and peer-support components. The program is delivered in scheduled sessions over the intervention period and aims to enhance coping skills, psychological well-being, professional functioning, and post-traumatic growth.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention | Experimental | Participants receive a structured psychoeducational intervention consisting of trauma education, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness exercises, resilience-building activities, stress management training, emotional regulation skills, and peer support sessions. Receives: Behavioral: Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention |
| Routine Professional Support | No intervention | Participants continue receiving routine institutional support and standard professional resources available within the hospital setting. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Score
This outcome measures change in vicarious posttraumatic growth among emergency unit nurses exposed to the intervention. Vicarious posttraumatic growth will be assessed using the Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (VPTGI; Deaton, 2020), a self-report questionnaire.
The total score will be calculated by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate greater vicarious posttraumatic growth (better psychological outcome).
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change in Vicarious Trauma Score
This outcome measures vicarious trauma symptoms among emergency nurses. The Vicarious Trauma Scale (VTS; Vrklevski \& Franklin, 2008) will be used. The total score is obtained by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate greater vicarious trauma (worse psychological outcome).
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Resilience Score
Resilience will be assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), which measures the ability to recover from stress. Scores are calculated as the mean of all items. Higher scores indicate greater resilience (better outcome).
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Coping Strategies
Coping strategies will be assessed using the CSI-SF, measuring both adaptive and maladaptive coping styles. Scores will be reported as subscale and total scores. Higher adaptive coping scores indicate better coping outcomes.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Psychological Well-being
Psychological well-being will be assessed using the 18-item Psychological Well-being Scale. Total scores will be computed by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate better psychological well-being.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Vicarious TraumaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Fatima Jinnah Women University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Seerat Fatima, Fatima Jinnah Women University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07677527
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- VPTGI-RCT-2026
- Acronym
- VPTG-RCT
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention for Nurses in Emergency Units: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07677527
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VPTG-RCT / VPTGI-RCT-2026
- Conditions
- Vicarious Trauma, Psychological Distress, Post-Traumatic Growth, Psychological, Psychological Well-being
- Keywords
- Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth, Emergency Nurses, Randomized Controlled Trial, Resilience, Vicarious Trauma, Mental Health, Psychological Intervention, Coping Strategies
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Fatima Jinnah Women UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth (VPTG) Intervention among nurses working in emergency units. Emergency nurses are frequently exposed to traumatic events through patient care, which may contribute to vicarious trauma and psychological distress. The intervention is designed to facilitate positive psychological growth, resilience, adaptive coping, and psychological well-being while reducing the adverse impact of indirect trauma exposure. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up periods to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting vicarious post-traumatic growth and reducing vicarious trauma among emergency nurses.
Detailed description
Emergency nurses regularly encounter critically ill, injured, and dying patients, exposing them to repeated indirect traumatic experiences. Such exposure can lead to vicarious trauma, emotional exhaustion, and psychological distress. However, exposure to trauma may also contribute to positive psychological changes referred to as vicarious post-traumatic growth.
This study evaluates the efficacy of a structured Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention developed specifically for nurses working in emergency units. The intervention integrates psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, resilience enhancement strategies, emotional regulation skills, stress management techniques, and peer support activities.
A randomized controlled trial design will be employed. Eligible nurses will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants will complete baseline assessments before intervention implementation. Outcome measures will be reassessed immediately after completion of the intervention and during follow-up assessments.
Primary outcomes include reduction in vicarious trauma and enhancement of vicarious post-traumatic growth. Secondary outcomes include resilience, coping strategies, psychological well-being, and occupational functioning. Findings may contribute to the development of evidence-based psychological support programs for nurses working in high-stress healthcare settings.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth InterventionParticipants receive a structured psychoeducational intervention consisting of trauma education, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness exercises, resilience-building activities, stress management training, emotional regulation skills, and peer support sessions. |
| Routine Professional Support | No intervention | –Participants continue receiving routine institutional support and standard professional resources available within the hospital setting. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Registered nurses currently employed in emergency departments.
- Minimum six months of emergency department work experience.
- Able to read and understand English or Urdu.
- Willing to provide informed consent.
- Available to participate throughout intervention and follow-up assessments.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder requiring intensive treatment.
- Current participation in trauma-focused psychotherapy.
- Cognitive impairment affecting study participation.
- Planned transfer from emergency unit during study period.
- Refusal to provide informed consent.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth InterventionA structured psychoeducational and behavioral intervention designed to promote vicarious post-traumatic growth and reduce vicarious trauma among emergency nurses. The intervention incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, mindfulness practices, resilience-building exercises, psychoeducation regarding vicarious trauma, stress management strategies, reflective activities, and peer-support components. The program is delivered in scheduled sessions over the intervention period and aims to enhance coping skills, psychological well-being, professional functioning, and post-traumatic growth. | Behavioural | Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention |
Primary outcome
Change in Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
This outcome measures change in vicarious posttraumatic growth among emergency unit nurses exposed to the intervention. Vicarious posttraumatic growth will be assessed using the Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (VPTGI; Deaton, 2020), a self-report questionnaire. The total score will be calculated by summing item responses. Higher scores indicate greater vicarious posttraumatic growth (better psychological outcome).
4 secondary outcomes
Change in Vicarious Trauma Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Resilience Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Coping Strategies
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Change in Psychological Well-being
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Psychoeducational Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention in people with Vicarious Trauma and Psychological Distress, run by Fatima Jinnah Women University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jul 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact SEERAT FATIMA (+923066605577, seeratfatima554@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Score (time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 8), 3-month follow-up (Week 20), 6-month follow-up (Week 32)). 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 7 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.