Bibliotherapy: could a book be the new prescription for student stress?
NCT ID NCT07627139
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether reading specific self-help books can lower anxiety, depression, and rumination in university students aged 18-25. 110 students from health science programs will be randomly assigned to read one of two books or join a waiting list. Over 8 weeks, they will complete questionnaires to track changes in symptoms and thinking patterns.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- self-help books (metacognitive bibliotherapy)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to help students manage anxiety and depression without medication or therapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 110 students from one university. The results may not apply to everyone, and reading a book may not be enough for severe symptoms.
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
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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
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About 110 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 25 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: * Active enrollment in the Faculties of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, or Psychology at Istanbul Nisantasi University * Aged between 18 and 25 years * Provision of voluntary digital informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Currently receiving active psychiatric treatment (psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy) * Change in psychopharmacological medication within the past 6 months * Prior reading of either of the study books * Presence of acute psychotic symptoms or suicidal risk
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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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
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
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