Helping pregnant and postpartum women recover from PTSD
Official title: Breaking the Cycle of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder for High-Risk Perinatal Populations
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11146671 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a short six-week online therapy called Narrative Exposure Therapy to reduce PTSD symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women, focusing on high-risk groups like rural and Black women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $140,892 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HD115845-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146671 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or recently postpartum women who are experiencing PTSD symptoms, especially those in rural areas or who identify as Black, are the primary candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without PTSD, those who are not pregnant or postpartum, or those who need intensive inpatient psychiatric care are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
What this research studies
You would be invited to help the research team adapt a six-week virtual Narrative Exposure Therapy using community feedback and interviews so the program fits pregnant and postpartum people. After the adaptation phase, a small randomized pilot will compare the revised virtual NET to a comparison condition to test feasibility, acceptability, and early symptom change. Participation could include virtual therapy sessions, brief surveys, and interviews during pregnancy and after delivery. The study specifically seeks to include high-risk groups, such as rural-dwelling and Black women, to make the therapy practical for diverse communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make brief, accessible PTSD treatment available during pregnancy and postpartum and improve health for mothers and their babies.
How similar studies have gone: Narrative Exposure Therapy has helped people with trauma in other settings, but delivering a brief virtual version for pregnant and postpartum women is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Michelle Louise — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Miller, Michelle Louise
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.