Early Intervention for Postpartum PTSD: Comparing Written Exposure and Capnometry-Guided Breathing Therapy

Part of paid clinical trials in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Sponsor
Stanford University
Study ID
NCT07342530
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Breathing Techniques
  • PTSD (Childbirth-Related)
  • Postpartum Care
  • Written Exposure Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
FEMALE
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Written Exposure Therapy (WET) — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will complete 5 writing sessions. One 50-minute session will be held in the hospital before discharge, followed by four 50-minute sessions by secure video once a week. Sessions are delivered by a trained study therapist under licensed clinician supervision.
  • Capnometry-Guided Breathing Intervention (CGRI) — DEVICE
    Participants will complete one 45-minute in-hospital training session using the device, which includes a tablet and breathing sensor. They will then practice guided breathing at home twice daily for about 17 minutes each time for 4 weeks, with weekly phone check-ins from study staff.

Study Details

The purpose of this study is to examine two early interventions, Written Exposure Therapy and Capnometry Guided Breathing, to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in women after childbirth as compared to usual care.

Key Dates

Start date
Mar 9, 2026
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2027
Completion
Dec 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
70 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • No Intervention: Postpartum Standard of Care
    Participants will follow their current standard of care.
  • Experimental: Written Exposure Therapy (WET)
    Participants will complete 5 writing sessions. One 50-minute session will be held in the hospital before discharge, followed by four 50-minute sessions by secure video once a week. Sessions are delivered by a trained study therapist under licensed clinician supervision.
  • Experimental: Capnometry-Guided Breathing Intervention (CGRI)
    Participants will complete one 45-minute in-hospital training session using the device, which includes a tablet and breathing sensor. They will then practice guided breathing at home twice daily for about 17 minutes each time for 4 weeks, with weekly phone check-ins from study staff.

Primary Outcome Measure

Percentage of participants initiating assigned treatment [ Time Frame: Baseline (up to 2 weeks) ]

Locations (2)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansas72205
Heather Moody
[email protected]
501-526-4333
Stanford UniversityPalo AltoCalifornia94304
Aleesha J Jethwa
[email protected]
650-723-5439

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By research site
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences· Little Rock, ARStanford University· Palo Alto, CA

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