Storytelling therapy to prevent PTSD after heart surgery
Part of Mental health clinical trials.
This study tests whether a special therapy called narrative exposure—where you talk through your surgery experience with a trained counselor—can help prevent PTSD (post-traumatic stress) in people recovering from heart surgery in the ICU. The goal is to help you process what happened so you feel less distressed afterward.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You are 18 years or older
- You are scheduled for heart surgery that uses a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) and will stay in the ICU for more than 24 hours
- You can communicate clearly and you and your family agree to participate
- After surgery, you are awake, alert, and able to participate in the therapy and assessments
- You have not experienced a major traumatic event in the past year (such as a serious diagnosis or death of a close family member)
- You are not currently being treated for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other mental health conditions
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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