Guided Written Exposure Therapy for Adolescents with Complex PTSD

The Effectiveness of Guided Written Exposure Therapy for Complex PTSD in Adolescents: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

This study will test whether group Guided Written Exposure Therapy helps Chinese adolescents (ages 10–18) with complex PTSD feel better than supportive group therapy.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 10 Years to 18 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Peking University (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Fuyang, Anhui and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07325734 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll 120 Chinese adolescents with complex PTSD and randomly assign 60 to group Guided Written Exposure Therapy for CPTSD (GWE-C) and 60 to supportive group therapy. The GWE-C intervention consists of 7 to 10 group writing-and-discussion sessions that focus on trauma-related narratives. The primary outcome, measured by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), will be collected at baseline, post-treatment, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up. The trial will be conducted at Peking University in Beijing and a partnering middle school site in Fuyang, Anhui.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are literate adolescents aged 10–18 with diagnosed or subclinical complex PTSD who can attend group sessions and provide (or whose guardians provide) written consent.

Not a fit: Patients with severe psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders, serious physical illness, high suicide risk, or inability to complete writing tasks are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could offer an effective, low-cost group therapy option that reduces CPTSD symptoms in adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Written exposure therapies have shown benefit for PTSD in adults and some adolescent work exists, but group guided written exposure specifically for adolescent complex PTSD is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged between 10 and 18 years;
2. Meet the diagnostic or subclinical criteria for Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), defined as missing at most one symptom from either the PTSD or DSO clusters;
3. Possess sufficient literacy and language skills to complete writing-based tasks;
4. Be able to understand the study procedures and complete the required assessments;
5. Provide written informed consent, with consent also obtained from their legal guardians.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of a severe psychiatric disorder or neurodevelopmental disorder, such as schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or other severe psychiatric conditions that would interfere with study participation;
2. Presence of a severe physical illness that would impair the ability to engage in the intervention;
3. Assessed as being at high suicidal risk (e.g., current suicidal ideation with intent or plan, recent suicide attempt within the past 12 months, or severe self-harm behaviors);
4. Ongoing exposure to traumatic events;
5. Currently receiving other trauma-focused psychological treatments.

Where this trial is running

Fuyang, Anhui and 1 other locations

• Changchun middle school — Fuyang, Anhui, China (RECRUITING)
• Peking University — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yinyin Zang, Ph.D.

Conditions: CPTSD, Compelx Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, adolescents, randomized controlled trial, Complex PTSD