Preventive Narrative Exposure for PTSD After Cardiac Surgery in the ICU

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and a postoperative ICU stay are randomized to receive either routine care with standard psychological support or routine care plus an ICU-based preventive narrative exposure intervention delivered during the perioperative and early recovery period. The intervention uses an ICU visitor book with photos, family messages, and key recovery events to help patients reconstruct and narrate their ICU experience, aided by preoperative education and grounding strategies. The goal is to reduce fragmented memories and perceived threat after discharge and potentially lower PTSD symptom risk. The study is conducted at a single site: the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, with eligibility requiring adequate consciousness and communication and exclusion of recent severe trauma or current mental health treatment.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18 years or older.
2. Scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, with planned postoperative admission to the cardiac surgical intensive care unit and an expected ICU stay of more than 24 hours.
3. The participant is able to communicate effectively, and the participant and family members are willing to cooperate with the study.
4. Conscious before the first postoperative intervention, negative for delirium as assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, and able to understand and complete the intervention and related assessments.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Experienced severe traumatic events within the past year, such as diagnosis of a major disease unrelated to the current cardiac condition in the participant or an immediate family member, or death of an immediate family member or significant other.
2. Currently receiving treatment for mental disorders, including pharmacological treatment or psychotherapy for conditions such as depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
3. History of a clearly diagnosed severe mental disorder, or mental abnormalities caused by organic brain disease.

Where it's running

• The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University
  Fuzhou, Fujian, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Rongjin Lin
• Email: Yaling_Qin0202@163.com
• Phone: +86-18276524344

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.