Mindfulness-based stress reduction for PTSD after road traffic accidents

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Treatment of PTSD in Road Traffic Accident Victims: Evaluating Its Efficacy in a Randomised Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Universiti Sains Malaysia · NCT07521020

This trial will see if a six-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program helps adults with PTSD from road traffic accidents have fewer PTSD symptoms and better quality of life.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment110 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversiti Sains Malaysia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ürümqi, Xinjiang)
Trial IDNCT07521020 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults who developed PTSD after a road traffic accident and meet DSM-5-TR criteria (PCL-5 ≥31) are randomized to receive either a weekly MBSR session for six weeks plus usual care or treatment-as-usual (TAU). Outcomes including PTSD symptoms, quality of life, and mindfulness are measured with questionnaires at baseline, after the intervention, and at a follow-up time point. The intervention is delivered in person and compared directly against TAU to estimate added benefit of MBSR. The trial excludes people with organic brain injury from the accident, prior other mental illnesses, substance dependence, pregnancy, inability to understand Chinese, or unstable severe medical illness.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–60 who developed PTSD after a road traffic accident, hold a traffic-accident ID certificate, have at least a junior-high education, score ≥31 on the PCL-5, and can attend weekly sessions in Chinese.

Not a fit: People with organic brain injury from the accident, preexisting diagnosed mental illnesses, active substance dependence, inability to understand Chinese, pregnancy, or unstable severe medical conditions are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, MBSR could provide a non-drug option that reduces PTSD symptoms and improves quality of life for road traffic accident survivors.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research on mindfulness and MBSR for PTSD has shown some positive effects on symptoms and wellbeing but results are mixed and not yet definitive for traffic-accident populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

(a) Possession of a road traffic identification certificate issued by the public security traffic police department; (b) Age 18-60 years; (c) junior high school education or above and full civil capacity; (d) those who meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD according to DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder 5th Edition-Text Revised) which occurred after road traffic accident; (e) A score of 31 or above on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) indicating possibility of PTSD in diagnosis; and (f) those taking a stable dose of a single antidepressant for the past 2 weeks and willing to maintain on the dose until the end of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

(a) Organic brain damage caused by road traffic accident; (b) A previous diagnosis of any mental illness; (c) Pregnant women; (d) Alcohol and drug dependence and abuse; (e) Inability to understand Chinese; (f) history of severe and unstable medical illnesses that are not suitable for participation in the study; (g) having participated in any psychotherapy before participating in the study, and (h) those with suicidal tendency.

Where this trial is running

Ürümqi, Xinjiang

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Posttraumatic Stress DisorderPTSDrandomized controlled trialsquality of lifemindfulnessmindfulness based stress reduction
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.