Preventive Narrative Exposure Intervention for PTSD in ICU Patients After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Cardiac Surgery
Effects of Preventive Narrative Exposure Intervention on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among ICU Patients After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University
100 participants
Jun 2, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether an ICU-based preventive narrative exposure intervention can help prevent posttraumatic stress symptoms in adult patients after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The study will include adult patients who undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and are admitted to the cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Participants in the control group will receive routine care and routine psychological support. Participants in the intervention group will receive routine care plus an ICU-based preventive narrative exposure intervention supported by an ICU visitor book. The intervention includes preoperative education, review of ICU experiences, construction of a timeline, guided narration of stressful ICU-related events, and integration of the experience before discharge. The ICU visitor book includes selected photos, family messages, and key recovery events. It is used to help patients better understand and organize their ICU experience. Researchers will compare the intervention group with the control group to see whether the intervention reduces posttraumatic stress symptoms. The primary outcome is posttraumatic stress symptoms at 1 month after discharge. Secondary outcomes include posttraumatic stress symptoms at 3 months after discharge, ICU memories, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and patient and family satisfaction with ICU care. The findings may provide evidence for an early psychological nursing intervention to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder in ICU patients after cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac surgery.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- Aged 18 years or older.
- Scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, with planned postoperative admission to the cardiac surgical intensive care unit and an expected ICU stay of more than 24 hours.
- The participant is able to communicate effectively, and the participant and family members are willing to cooperate with the study.
- Conscious before the first postoperative intervention, negative for delirium as assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, and able to understand and complete the intervention and related assessments.
Exclusion Criteria3
- Experienced severe traumatic events within the past year, such as diagnosis of a major disease unrelated to the current cardiac condition in the participant or an immediate family member, or death of an immediate family member or significant other.
- Currently receiving treatment for mental disorders, including pharmacological treatment or psychotherapy for conditions such as depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
- History of a clearly diagnosed severe mental disorder, or mental abnormalities caused by organic brain disease.
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Interventions
The intervention is an ICU-based preventive narrative exposure intervention supported by an ICU visitor book. It includes preoperative education, review of ICU experiences, construction of a timeline, guided narration of stressful ICU-related events, and integration of the experience before discharge. The ICU visitor book includes selected photos, family messages, and key recovery events to help participants better understand and organize their ICU experience.
Locations(1)
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NCT07632131