Pregnancy stress? new study tests emotional skills training for Moms-to-Be

NCT ID NCT06963801

Symptom relief Sponsor: Duke University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a special emotional skills program (DBT-P) can help pregnant women with high emotion dysregulation reduce stress and improve heart rate. One hundred women will either join the program or receive standard pregnancy support. Researchers will track changes in emotion regulation and heart rate over the course of pregnancy.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: dialectical behavior therapy skills group (DBT-P)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-drug way to help pregnant women manage stress and improve their emotional health.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 100 participants. It tests a behavioral program, so results may vary and may not apply to all pregnant women.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 100 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jun 2025

Expected to finish

Oct 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 45 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Emotion dysregulation score of 88 or above * At least 12 weeks pregnant * Singleton Pregnancy * Fluent in English Exclusion Criteria: * Active psychosis * Drug or alcohol use disorder during pregnancy * High risk of an imminent suicide attempt * Significant health complications (e.g., cancer) * Illiterate and/or unable to independently complete and comprehend written measures

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Emotion dysregulation

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Pregnancy stress? new study tests emotional skills training for Moms-to-Be

What the study statuses mean