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

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinical Trial

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

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

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

Clinical Trial Description

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. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic

• NCT number: NCT01773811
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Mississippi, Oxford
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2012
• Completion date: May 2014