RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07165782

Brief Videos Delivered by Text Messages as a Public Health Intervention for PTSD in Youth

Brief Videos Delivered by Text Messages as a Public Health Intervention for PTSD in Youth: A Feasibility and Acceptability Randomized Trial


Sponsor

IWK Health Centre

Enrollment

98 participants

Start Date

Sep 10, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if informational videos (the intervention) sent by text messages can help young people (age 15 - 25) manage symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a small-scale trial to evaluate whether the intervention has potential to be effective, whether it is feasible to carry out a bigger study, and whether youth find the intervention acceptable.The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the intervention help youth reduce their symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, improve how well they function day-to-day, and lead to post-traumatic growth. 2. Will it be possible to conduct a larger study on the intervention (e.g., are we able to attract participants to take part in the study; do participants follow through with the intervention and the study) and is the intervention acceptable to youth (e.g., do they watch the videos, and rate the videos as useful, interesting, understandable, and relevant)? Researchers will compare those who receive the intervention right away to those who wait to receive the intervention to see if there are differences between groups. Videos will teach youth about PTSD and provide the opportunity to practice strategies that have been shown to help with reduce symptoms of PTSD, such as exposure, reducing avoidance, social support, and coping strategies (e.g., changing your thoughts, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation). The study is fully online. Participants will be randomly placed in one of two groups: 1. Intervention Group: Gets three PTSD-related text messages per week for 10 weeks. They will also be asked to rate each of the videos on how helpful you found them. 2. Waitlist Group: Does not receive text messages until AFTER the final surveys for the study are completed (i.e., 5 months), then will receive the intervention. Everyone will be asked to complete online surveys about their mental health and functioning 3 times during the study: * Beginning of the study * 10 weeks into the study * 3 months after the videos end (end of study)


Eligibility

Min Age: 15 YearsMax Age: 25 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether short videos sent by text message can help young people manage PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) — flashbacks, nightmares, and intense anxiety following a traumatic event. The idea is to make mental health support accessible via phone while people wait for or can't access formal therapy. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 15 and 25 years old - You have experienced or witnessed something deeply traumatic (such as violence, a serious accident, or sexual assault) - You currently have PTSD symptoms, based on a screening questionnaire score of 31 or higher - You have a mobile phone with data and can receive texts and videos - You live in Canada and can read English **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are currently having thoughts of suicide - You are experiencing active symptoms of psychosis (such as hallucinations or delusions) - You cannot read or understand English Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALBrief Videos Delivered by Text Message

The intervention consists of brief videos delivered by text message, designed to deliver psychoeducation, coping strategies, and social support guidance for youth with PTSD. The focus is to reduce avoidance behaviors, increase exposure, change cognitions and enhance social support. The text messages will follow a six-module curriculum, covering key PTSD recovery topics: 1. Psychoeducation on PTSD - Understanding symptoms, trauma responses, and brain plasticity. 2. Reducing Avoidance - Encouraging gradual engagement with feared thoughts and situations. 3. Cognitive Coping Strategies - Introducing cognitive restructuring techniques. 4. Behavioral Coping Strategies - Teaching relaxation techniques (e.g., deep breathing, grounding). 5. Social Support - Highlighting the role of social support and strategies to strengthen connections. 6. Maintenance and Relapse Prevention - Preparing for setbacks and reinforcing progress.


Locations(1)

IWK Health

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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NCT07165782


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