Reading a personal narrative book to help emotional regulation before hysterectomy in young women
Official title: Effect of Reading a Personal Narrative Book on Emotional Regulation in Women of Childbearing Age Undergoing Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RELIEF)
Run by Groupe SantéCité SantéCité Enseignement-Recherche-Innovation (GCS SCERI) · NCT07430488 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether reading a personal narrative book in addition to usual care can help young women preparing for hysterectomy feel calmer and less anxious or depressed.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 42 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 156 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Groupe SantéCité SantéCité Enseignement-Recherche-Innovation (GCS SCERI) Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Bordeaux and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 2028 |
| Study ends | January 2028 |
| Registry record updated | September 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07430488 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18 to 42 with a non-malignant indication for hysterectomy, able to read French, and willing to participate.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants who do not derive emotional or psychological benefit from reading the narrative book or who have limited engagement with the material may see no improvement.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares standard preoperative care with an added personal narrative book to see if it improves emotional regulation and reduces catastrophizing, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in women facing hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions. It also looks at whether the approach improves postoperative satisfaction and reduces need for extra psychological support. Eligible participants are women 18 to 42 undergoing hysterectomy and able to read French, with consent and French social security coverage. The intervention is a personal narrative book provided alongside the standard information leaflet and optional psychological consultation. The study is conducted at three French clinics and involves minimal risk beyond standard care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience better emotional regulation and higher satisfaction after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior approaches using patient narratives have shown potential for improving coping in some surgical and preoperative contexts, but this specific approach is relatively novel in this setting.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women aged 18 years or older and under 43 years of age * Patients with an indication for hysterectomy for a non-malignant condition * Patients who have provided explicit oral consent to participate * Patients covered by the French social security system * Patients able to read and understand French and capable of reading a French book within a timeframe compatible with the study schedule Exclusion Criteria: * Women with suspected uterine cancer or high-grade dysplasia * Women participating or having participated to an interventional clinical trial within the 30 days prior to inclusion * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or parturient women * Protected patient: adults under guardianship or other legal protection; persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative order; persons hospitalized without consent * Patients with insufficient proficiency in the French language
Where it's running
-
Clinique Tivoli-Ducos
Bordeaux, France Recruiting -
Clinique Charcot
Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, France Recruiting -
Clinique Pasteur Toulouse
Toulouse, France Recruiting -
Clinique St Cyprien Rive Gauche
Toulouse, France Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.