An interventional study of Enhanced Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (E-BCBT) for Suicidal Inpatients and Treatment as Usual (TAU) in Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors, Suicide Attempt and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, sponsored by Hyung Keun Park. Completed at 1 site in South Korea. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-22.
Sponsored by Hyung Keun Park · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether enhanced brief cognitive behavioral therapy (E-BCBT) can help reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among psychiatric inpatients. This therapy is designed to be feasible during hospitalization and includes self-directed worksheets that may later be used independently after discharge, offering potential benefits for suicide prevention outside the hospital setting as well.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
All participants will take part in five assessments: one before treatment, one after treatment, and three monthly follow-up assessments over the three months after discharge. Assessments include interviews, conducted in person or by phone, and questionnaires, completed online via a survey link. The entire study period will take approximately four months.
515 studies on the registry are indexed under Suicidal Ideation; 195 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 30 is below the median of 80 across 426 interventional studies indexed under Suicidal Ideation.
Browse Suicidal Ideation studies →Hyung Keun Park is the lead sponsor of 3 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Participants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the study:
Hospitalized following a suicide crisis
*A suicide crisis is defined based on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) as meeting at least one of the following: A. A suicide attempt within 1 week prior to admission B. Current suicidal ideation and plan at the time of admission (recorded as the reason for hospitalization) and at least one prior suicide attempt within the past 2 years
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will be excluded if any of the following apply:
Participants in this arm will receive Enhanced Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (E-BCBT), a brief intervention designed for suicide prevention among psychiatric inpatients, along with treatment as usual (TAU) provided on the ward. After randomization, they will participate in five sessions of E-BCBT during hospitalization (approximately 50-60 minutes per session), in addition to receiving standard care such as pharmacotherapy, case management, and general supportive therapy offered in the inpatient setting.
Behavioral: Enhanced Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (E-BCBT) for Suicidal Inpatients · Other: Treatment as Usual (TAU)
Participants in this arm will receive Treatment as Usual (TAU) only. TAU is based on a short-term stabilization model and includes 24-hour multidisciplinary care delivered by an inpatient psychiatric team. Individualized treatment is provided depending on the participant's needs. TAU may include treatments such as pharmacotherapy, occupational therapy, and supportive psychotherapy, as commonly practiced in the hospital setting.
Other: Treatment as Usual (TAU)
E-BCBT is a brief, structured cognitive behavioral therapy designed for psychiatric inpatients at risk of suicide. The primary goals are to reduce the risk of suicide attempts after discharge, improve problem-solving and coping with recent stressors related to suicidal crises, and help patients shift from maladaptive "suicidal modes" to more adaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns. The intervention consists of five individual sessions (approximately 50-60 minutes each) delivered during hospitalization. It includes two sessions on crisis management, two sessions on cognitive and behavioral strategies, and one relapse prevention session. Each session incorporates psychoeducation, skill-building, and worksheet-based self-practice to enhance self-regulation and promote continued use after discharge.
TAU is based on a short-term inpatient stabilization model and includes 24-hour multidisciplinary care provided by the psychiatric ward. Individualized treatment may involve pharmacotherapy, occupational therapy, and supportive psychotherapy, depending on patient needs and hospital protocols.
Number of Suicide Attempts from Baseline to 3 Months After Discharge
The number of suicide attempts will be assessed at five time points (baseline, post-treatment, and monthly during the 3-month follow-up) using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, with data cross-checked against electronic medical records.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Time to First Suicide Attempt After Discharge
The number of days from hospital discharge to the first reported suicide attempt, assessed through monthly follow-up interviews during the 3-month follow-up period.
Time frame: 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months post-discharge
Intensity of suicidal ideation measured by Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Suicidal ideation intensity will be assessed using the Intensity of Ideation subscale of the C-SSRS. This clinician-administered interview includes five items (frequency, duration, controllability, deterrents, and reasons for ideation), each scored from 0 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater ideation intensity.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Severity of suicidal ideation measured by Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI)
Suicidal ideation severity will be assessed using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, a 19-item self-report questionnaire. Each item is scored from 0 to 2, producing a total score from 0 to 38. Higher scores indicate greater severity of suicidal ideation.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Change in depressive symptoms measured by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17)
Depressive symptom severity will be assessed at five time points using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. This clinician-administered semi-structured interview yields total scores ranging from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Change in depressive symptoms measured by Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
Depressive symptom severity will be assessed at five time points using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, a 21-item self-report questionnaire. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, yielding total scores from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Change in hopelessness measured by the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS)
Change in the level of hopelessness will be assessed at five time points: baseline, post-treatment, and monthly for 3 months following discharge. Hopelessness will be measured using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), a 20-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess negative expectations about the future. Each item is scored dichotomously (True/False), with total scores ranging from 0 to 20. Higher scores indicate greater levels of hopelessness and have been associated with increased suicide risk.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Consent rate (as an indicator of feasibility)
Consent rate will be used as a key feasibility indicator. It is defined as the percentage of eligible participants who provided informed consent and were randomized. The rate will be calculated by dividing the number of participants who consented and were randomized by the total number of eligible participants screened during the recruitment period.
Time frame: For each participant, from the time they are found eligible through screening until the time they provide informed consent and are randomized, during the study's active recruitment period (approximately 6 months).
Retention rate (as an indicator of feasibility)
Retention rate will be used as a key feasibility indicator. It is defined as the percentage of randomized participants who remained in the study and provided valid primary outcome data at each designated follow-up time point. The rate will be calculated by dividing the number of participants who completed the primary outcome assessment at each time point by the total number of participants randomized.
Time frame: From randomization to each scheduled assessment point: post-treatment (within 48 hours after discharge), and 1-month (±7 days), 2-month (±7 days), and 3-month (±7 days) follow-ups after discharge, for each participant.
Adherence to treatment (as an indicator of feasibility)
Adherence to treatment will be used as a feasibility indicator. It is defined as the percentage of participants who attended all 5 scheduled treatment sessions. The rate will be calculated by dividing the number of participants who completed all sessions by the total number of participants assigned to the intervention group.
Time frame: From the first to the fifth scheduled treatment session, over the intervention period (approximately 7 days), for each participant assigned to the intervention group.
Death-Implicit Association Test (D-IAT)
Implicit identification with death will be assessed using the Death-Implicit Association Test (D-IAT), a computerized task measuring automatic associations between death-related concepts and the self. The Korean version of the D-IAT, validated for local use, consists of seven blocks administered via PsychoPy software. The outcome score (D-score) is computed using a standard scoring algorithm: a positive D-score indicates a stronger implicit association between death and self, while a negative score indicates a stronger association between life and self. Higher D-scores have been associated with increased risk of suicide attempts.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Anxiety symptoms measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Anxiety symptoms will be assessed at all scheduled time points using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), a 21-item self-report questionnaire. Each item is rated on a 0 to 3 scale, yielding a total score from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety severity.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Emotion dysregulation measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Emotion dysregulation will be assessed at all scheduled time points using the 35-item Korean version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). This self-report questionnaire measures six dimensions of emotion regulation difficulties: Nonacceptance of emotional responses, Difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior, Impulse control difficulties, Lack of emotional awareness, Limited access to emotion regulation strategies, and Lack of emotional clarity. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater difficulties in emotion regulation.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Distress tolerance measured by the Distress Intolerance Index (DII)
Distress tolerance will be assessed at all scheduled time points using the Distress Intolerance Index (DII), a 10-item self-report questionnaire. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all like me) to 4 (very much like me), with total scores ranging from 0 to 40. Higher scores indicate lower distress tolerance.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Negative automatic thoughts measured by the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Negative (ATQ-N)
Negative automatic thoughts will be assessed using the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Negative (ATQ-N), a 30-item self-report measure. Participants rate how frequently they experienced each thought on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (all the time). Total scores range from 30 to 150, with higher scores indicating greater frequency of negative automatic thoughts.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Positive automatic thoughts measured by the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Positive (ATQ-P)
Positive automatic thoughts will be assessed using the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Positive (ATQ-P), a 30-item self-report measure. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (all the time). Total scores range from 30 to 150, with higher scores indicating more frequent positive automatic thoughts.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Interpersonal needs measured by the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ)
Interpersonal needs will be assessed using the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), a 15-item self-report measure designed to assess two constructs: perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale from 1 (not at all true for me) to 7 (very true for me). Higher scores reflect greater interpersonal distress.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Fearlessness about death measured by the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale - Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD)
Fearlessness about death will be assessed using the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale - Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD), a 7-item self-report questionnaire. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all like me) to 4 (very much like me), with higher scores indicating greater fearlessness about death.
Time frame: Baseline: Within 24 hours after informed consent and within 2 days before treatment start; Post-treatment: Within 48 hours after discharge; Follow-up assessments: At 1 month (±7 days), 2 months (±7 days), and 3 months (±7 days) after discharge.
Treatment satisfaction measured by the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)
Treatment satisfaction will be assessed using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8), an 8-item self-report instrument rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The measure assesses satisfaction with treatment quality, perceived effectiveness, and willingness to reuse or recommend the intervention. Higher total scores indicate greater satisfaction.
Time frame: At post-treatment (within 48 hours after discharge), for each participant in the intervention group
Use and perceived helpfulness of intervention techniques measured by the Utility of Techniques (UT) questionnaire
The Utility of Techniques (UT) questionnaire will be used to assess participants' frequency of use and perceived helpfulness of specific intervention components. For each technique the participant reports having learned during the inpatient stay, they will rate frequency of use (from "not at all" to "more than 10 times per week") and helpfulness (if used, from "not at all" to "extremely"). Techniques include, for example, personalized safety planning tools and coping strategies taught during the intervention.
Time frame: At 1-month (±7 days), 2-month (±7 days), and 3-month (±7 days) follow-up assessments after discharge, for each participant in the intervention group.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Hyung Keun Park