Guided Imagery for PTSD

(PTSD Trial)

Overseen By Kathleen J Brown, Ed.D., MSN, RN

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Nova Southeastern University

Disqualifiers: Males, Under 18, Pregnant, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effects of guided imagery mindfulness on PTSD symptoms in women. Guided imagery involves focusing on positive, calming images to reduce stress and improve emotional control. Participants will attend weekly 15-minute guided imagery sessions for six weeks to determine if this technique eases PTSD symptoms. Women with a PTSD diagnosis who reside in a treatment facility and have a mobile device are suitable candidates for this study. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to explore a non-invasive technique that could enhance their emotional well-being.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that guided imagery is safe for managing PTSD?

Research has shown that mindfulness-based treatments, such as guided imagery, positively affect people with PTSD. These practices help individuals focus on the present moment and manage their emotions calmly. Studies have found that these treatments are generally well-tolerated, with no major side effects reported.

Mindfulness techniques, including guided imagery, are designed to be safe and supportive, helping participants feel comfortable. This approach shows promise in reducing PTSD symptoms and has been tested in various settings without significant safety concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Guided Imagery is unique because it offers a non-pharmacological approach to managing PTSD, focusing on mindfulness rather than medication. Unlike traditional treatments like antidepressants or cognitive-behavioral therapy, Guided Imagery emphasizes present-moment awareness and emotional control through mental visualization techniques. Researchers are excited about this method as it fosters non-judgmental acceptance of thoughts and emotions, potentially reducing symptoms without the side effects associated with medications.

What evidence suggests that guided imagery might be an effective treatment for PTSD?

Studies have shown that mindfulness-based treatments, such as guided imagery, can help reduce PTSD symptoms. In this trial, participants will receive guided imagery as a mindfulness-based intervention. Research suggests these methods work well alongside other treatments, especially for those who prefer to avoid trauma-focused therapies. Mindfulness involves staying present and accepting emotions without judgment, which can aid in managing PTSD. While results vary, these approaches have shown promise in easing PTSD symptoms. Guided imagery, as part of mindfulness-based interventions, offers a non-drug option that might effectively manage PTSD. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult women who have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They should be willing to participate in guided imagery mindfulness sessions once a week for six weeks and complete pre- and post-tests to measure their PTSD symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

Resident at the Residential Treatment Facility

I am female.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant women

I am male.

I am over 99 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in 15-minute sessions of guided imagery mindfulness once a week for 6 weeks

6 weeks

6 visits (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants complete a post-intervention PCL-5 questionnaire to evaluate changes in PTSD symptom severity

2-4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Guided Imagery

Trial Overview The study aims to determine the effectiveness of guided imagery, a type of mindfulness exercise, on reducing the severity of PTSD symptoms in women. Participants will undergo this intervention weekly and have their symptom levels measured using PCL-5 scores before and after the treatment period.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Guided Imagery Mindfulness Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as guided imagery, emerge as promising alternatives for managing PTSD. Mindfulness necessitates participant training to maintain present awareness amidst wandering thoughts, fostering an attitude of non-judgmental acceptance towards thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness encourages, being present in the moment and supports emotional control.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nova Southeastern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

103

Recruited

12,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5747539/

Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder A scoping review of the literature on PTSD treatment studies, including approaches such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive ...

2. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40501-025-00364-x

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Psychological Trauma ... MBIs may be most effective as adjunctive treatments for PTSD, for those unwilling to do trauma-focused empirically supported treatments (ESTs), ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219296/full

Randomized controlled trials of mind–body interventions ... These approaches have demonstrated preliminary efficacy in improving posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, previous systematic ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618524000355

Can mindfulness-based interventions reduce PTSD ... Although mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may help reduce PTSD symptoms, efficacy results are inconsistent.

5. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/milmed/advance-article/doi/10.1093/milmed/usaf393/8236319

Effectiveness of a Tailored Trauma-Informed Mental Health ... Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction emerges as a viable, non-pharmacological intervention for managing symptoms of PTSD, ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618525000532

Psychological interventions for adult posttraumatic stress ... A large and growing number of published meta-analyses have examined the efficacy of psychological interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

7. columbiapsychiatry.org columbiapsychiatry.org/news/mindfulness-based-therapy-shows-promise-reducing-ptsd-cardiac-arrest-survivors

Mindfulness-based Therapy Shows Promise for Reducing ... A novel treatment that incorporates mindfulness into exposure therapy shows promise for reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress in survivors of sudden ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6258998/

Effects of an Online Imagery-Based Treatment Program in ... We developed easily accessible imagery-based treatment program for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to workplace ...