Preventing PTSD after childbirth with expressive writing
The Effects of Expressive Writing Following Traumatic Childbirth
This study tests if writing about their childbirth experience can help new moms who had a stressful delivery avoid PTSD and strengthen their bond with their baby.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 136 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05662423 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate a brief psychological intervention for women who have recently given birth and experienced a stressful childbirth. Participants will engage in expressive writing about their childbirth experience or a neutral event for three consecutive days, each session lasting around 15 minutes. The study will assess the effectiveness of this intervention in preventing childbirth-related PTSD and promoting maternal-infant bonding through surveys and mental health evaluations conducted two months postpartum.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women who have recently delivered at Massachusetts General Hospital and are at risk for developing childbirth-related PTSD.
Not a fit: Patients who have experienced preterm delivery, stillbirth, or serious complications during childbirth may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce the incidence of PTSD in new mothers and enhance their bonding with their infants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that expressive writing can have positive effects on mental health, suggesting potential success for this approach in preventing childbirth-related PTSD.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women who recently delivered at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). * Women who are at risk for developing CB-PTSD based on their scoring of \>16 on the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI). Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<18 or \>50. * Stillbirth. * Down's Syndrome, other serious genetic disorder in the newborn, or serious birth defect (e.g., microcephaly, spina bifida). * Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than 1 week or infant that is not medically healthy. * Current diagnosable DSM-5 psychotic or bipolar disorder, or current substance abuse disorder. * Active suicidality (assessed case by case). * Present substance abuse as indicated in medical records. * Severe maternal morbidity (assessed case by case). * General anesthesia. * Inability to understand the study procedures, risks, and side effects, or to otherwise give informed consent for participation due to neurological or other reasons. * Inability to understand English.
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sharon Dekel, Ph.D. M.Phil., M.S.
- Email: sdekel@mgh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-726-1352
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.