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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01773811

Effects of Narrative Writing Duration and Post-writing Processing Instructions on PTSD

The current study proposes to directly measure how processing after participating in written disclosure about a traumatic life event affects physical and psychological outcomes.

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Key information

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi, 38677, United States

About this study

Previous research has established the potential for narrative writing about traumatic events to result in positive benefits for physical and psychological health. Research has also provided evidence that written disclosure may reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Several mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain why written disclosure produces positive benefits, but all have focused on processes occurring during the writing session. It has been suggested, however, that additional processing may occur after the writing exercises are over, yet no research has studied the influence of this processing on outcomes. The current study proposes to directly measure how processing after participating in written disclosure affects physical and psychological outcomes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Experienced a traumatic life event (DSM-IV-TR Criterion A)
  • Currently experiencing clinically significant levels of PTSD symptoms

Exclusion criteria

  • Currently receiving psychotherapy
  • On medication that is not stable (i.e. medication has been changed within the past 6 weeks)

Treatment and study plan

Narrative Writing: Trauma-Assigned

Behavioral

Individuals will be writing about their most traumatic life event for 3 consecutive days for 20 minutes each. Those in the assigned group will be given instructions and weekly reminders to continue to think about their most traumatic event.

Narrative Writing: Trauma-Spontaneous

Behavioral

Individuals will be writing about their most traumatic life event for 3 consecutive days for 20 minutes each. Those in the spontaneous group will be given no further instructions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Level of PTSD symptoms as measured by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale

    Time frame: 1 month after final writing session

Secondary outcomes

  1. Physical health

    Time frame: 1 month after final writing session

    Physical health as measured by the Pennebaker Inventory of Limibic Languidness (PILL)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Mississippi, Oxford

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Jan 23, 2013
Registry last updated
May 15, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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