An interventional study of Guided Imagery in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, sponsored by Nova Southeastern University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 99 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-07-23.
Sponsored by Nova Southeastern University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects a significant portion of the population, with about 13 million Americans diagnosed in 2020. Women are twice as likely to have PTSD than men. PTSD will affect 8%, or 8 out of every 100 women, at some stage in their lives. This study will check the effects of guided imagery mindfulness on PCL-5 scores in adult women with PTSD. Participants in this study will complete a PCL-5 pre-test and post-test to check PTSD symptoms before and after 6-weeks of mindfulness sessions. Each participant will engage in 15-minute sessions of guided imagery mindfulness once a week for 6 weeks. Before and after PCL-5 scores will show the effect of guided imagery mindfulness on PTSD symptom severity.
Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects a significant portion of the population, with approximately 13 million Americans diagnosed in 2020. Women are twice as likely to have PTSD than men. PTSD will affect 8%, or 8 out of every 100 women, at some stage in their lives.
Purpose: This project aims to investigate the effectiveness of guided imagery, a mindfulness technique, on PCL-5 scores in adult women with PTSD.
Theoretical Framework: The Cognitive model of PTSD was developed to explain why some people do not recover after trauma and to identify maintaining factors that can be modified in treatment. This model suggests negative appraisals, disjointed trauma memories, and unhelpful coping strategies maintain PTSD.
Methods: Participants in this qualitative study will complete pre- and post-intervention PCL--5 questionnaires, a validated 20-item structured interview designed to assess PTSD symptoms. They will also engage in 15-minute sessions of guided imagery mindfulness interventions. Post-intervention, participants will complete a second PCL-5 questionnaire to evaluate any changes in symptom severity.
Results: Analysis of PCL-5 scores will provide insight into the effect of guided imagery mindfulness interventions on PTSD symptom severity.
Conclusions: Mindfulness has the potential to serve as a viable alternative or supplemental intervention for women diagnosed with PTSD. Through exploring the potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in managing PTSD symptoms, this study seeks to aid in the advancement of more effective treatment options.
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This study's enrollment of 15 is below the median of 76 across 113 interventional studies indexed under Combat Disorders.
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Exclusion Criteria:
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.
Behavioral: Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is a mindfulness based therapeutic technique that involves utilizing positive imagery allowing one to cultivate awareness of their mental state and shift their attention from ruminative thought patterns to the present moment. Evidence-based research shows that benefits of Guided imagery include relaxation, stress reduction, anxiety reduction, immune system enhancement, and overall well-being.
Also known as: Guided Meditation, Visualization, Imagery, Mental Imagery, Mental Rehearsal
Change from Baseline PTSD Symptom Severity Using PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) Scores at 6 weeks
PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms. Participants rate how bothered they have been by each of 20 items in the past month on a 5- point Likert scale ranging from 0-4. Items are summed to provide a total severity score (range = 0-80). 0 = Not at all 1 = A little bit 2 = Moderately 3 = Quite a bit 4 = Extremely Range: 0 (best outcome) to 80 (worst outcome)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Plan to share: No — IPD will not be shared to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the participants. Sharing participant data may pose risks of identifying individuals in studies, with limited sample sizes or unique demographic profiles.
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Nova Southeastern University