The Effectiveness of Guided Imagery on PCL-5 Scores in Adult Women With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects a significant portion of the population, with about 13 million Americans diagnosed in 2020. Women are twice as likely to have PTSD than men. PTSD will affect 8%, or 8 out of every 100 women, at some stage in their lives. This study will check the effects of guided imagery mindfulness on PCL-5 scores in adult women with PTSD. Participants in this study will complete a PCL-5 pre-test and post-test to check PTSD symptoms before and after 6-weeks of mindfulness sessions. Each participant will engage in 15-minute sessions of guided imagery mindfulness once a week for 6 weeks. Before and after PCL-5 scores will show the effect of guided imagery mindfulness on PTSD symptom severity.

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Key information

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Combat Disorders Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Jessie Trice Community Health Systems

Miami, Florida, 33142, United States

About this study

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects a significant portion of the population, with approximately 13 million Americans diagnosed in 2020. Women are twice as likely to have PTSD than men. PTSD will affect 8%, or 8 out of every 100 women, at some stage in their lives.

Purpose: This project aims to investigate the effectiveness of guided imagery, a mindfulness technique, on PCL-5 scores in adult women with PTSD.

Theoretical Framework: The Cognitive model of PTSD was developed to explain why some people do not recover after trauma and to identify maintaining factors that can be modified in treatment. This model suggests negative appraisals, disjointed trauma memories, and unhelpful coping strategies maintain PTSD.

Methods: Participants in this qualitative study will complete pre- and post-intervention PCL--5 questionnaires, a validated 20-item structured interview designed to assess PTSD symptoms. They will also engage in 15-minute sessions of guided imagery mindfulness interventions. Post-intervention, participants will complete a second PCL-5 questionnaire to evaluate any changes in symptom severity.

Results: Analysis of PCL-5 scores will provide insight into the effect of guided imagery mindfulness interventions on PTSD symptom severity.

Conclusions: Mindfulness has the potential to serve as a viable alternative or supplemental intervention for women diagnosed with PTSD. Through exploring the potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in managing PTSD symptoms, this study seeks to aid in the advancement of more effective treatment options.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Females
PTSD diagnosis (ICD 10: F43.1)
18 to 99 years old
Not pregnant
No suicidal ideations
No homicidal ideations
No audio-visual hallucinations
A mobile device, smart phone, laptop
Resident at the Residential Treatment Facility

Exclusion criteria

Males
Under 18 years old
Above 99 years old
Pregnant women
Active suicidal ideation
Active homicidal ideation
Do not have mobile device
Active audio-visual hallucinations

Treatment and study plan

GUIDED IMAGERY

Behavioral

Guided imagery is a mindfulness based therapeutic technique that involves utilizing positive imagery allowing one to cultivate awareness of their mental state and shift their attention from ruminative thought patterns to the present moment. Evidence-based research shows that benefits of Guided imagery include relaxation, stress reduction, anxiety reduction, immune system enhancement, and overall well-being.

Other names: Guided Meditation, Visualization, Imagery, Mental Imagery, Mental Rehearsal

Primary outcomes

Change from Baseline PTSD Symptom Severity Using PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) Scores at 6 weeks

Time frame: 6 weeks

PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms.

Participants rate how bothered they have been by each of 20 items in the past month on a 5- point Likert scale ranging from 0-4.

Items are summed to provide a total severity score (range = 0-80). 0 = Not at all 1 = A little bit 2 = Moderately 3 = Quite a bit 4 = Extremely

Range: 0 (best outcome) to 80 (worst outcome)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nova Southeastern University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effectiveness of Guided Imagery, a Mindfulness Technique, on PCL-5 Scores in Adult Women With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Acronym: PTSD

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Nov 1, 2024
Registry last updated: Jul 23, 2025

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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Completed