Talking it out in the ICU may stop PTSD after heart surgery

NCT ID NCT07632131

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests a simple talking therapy for heart surgery patients while they are still in the ICU. The therapy uses a visitor book with photos and family messages to help patients process stressful memories. Researchers hope this can prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after discharge. The trial will include 100 adults and compare those who get the therapy plus usual care to those who get usual care alone.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

ICU-based preventive narrative exposure intervention (a guided talking therapy using a visitor book with photos and family messages)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to prevent PTSD in heart surgery patients during their ICU stay.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial with only 100 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The intervention is behavioral and depends on patient engagement, which may vary.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

post-traumatic stress disorder prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University

    RECRUITING

    Fuzhou, Fujian, 35005, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••