Group psychotherapy and the gut microbiome in women of child-bearing age
Impact of Biopsychosocial Psychotherapy Intervention on Maternal Life-Course Trauma and the Gut Microbiome
This project will see if six weeks of group therapy changes the gut microbiome in English-speaking women aged 19–53 who report chronic stress.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years to 54 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Nebraska Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Omaha, Nebraska) |
| Trial ID | NCT07200531 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Women aged 19–53 with chronic stress will complete questionnaires and mail stool samples before and after the intervention. Participants will attend one-hour group psychotherapy sessions weekly for six weeks. Researchers will compare pre- and post-therapy gut microbiome profiles to detect changes associated with the therapy. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and those already in regular psychotherapy are excluded from participation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking women aged 19–53 who report chronic stress, are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and are not currently in regular psychotherapy.
Not a fit: People unlikely to benefit include men, women outside the 19–53 age range, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and women already receiving regular psychotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could show that non-drug therapy alters the gut microbiome, suggesting new ways to improve stress-related gut and mental health.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies and some early human research link chronic stress to the gut microbiome, but evidence that psychotherapy itself changes the microbiome is limited and this approach is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women over the age of 19 and less than 54. Able to understand/read English Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women and breast-feeding women Women who are actively participating in psychotherapy on a regular basis
Where this trial is running
Omaha, Nebraska
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, Nebraska, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ashley J Blount, PhD — University of Nebraska
- Study coordinator: Ashley J Blount, PhD
- Email: ablount@unomaha.edu
- Phone: 4025596613
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.