Early Intervention for PTSD in Burn Survivors and Caregivers

This study is testing an early intervention called Promotion of Emotional Disclosure for Burns (PoED-B) to help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in burn survivors and their caregivers. PoED-B is a short, 4-session program where both the patient and a loved one learn to communicate better and support each other after a burn injury. It aims to reduce negative communication and avoidant coping. The study will compare PoED-B to a standard educational session (minimally Enhanced Usual Care control). You might be able to join if you are an adult burn patient hospitalized within 10 days of your injury, can read English, and have a loved one willing to attend sessions with you. The study plans to enroll 44 participants and is looking at how easy it is to recruit people and collect data, as well as changes in social support.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing two behavioral approaches, PoED-B and minimally Enhanced Usual Care control, with a planned enrollment of 44 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in either a 4-session therapy program with a loved one or a single 30-minute educational session, during and after hospitalization.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed immediately after treatment and again at a 6-week follow-up.

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NCT07656545

Early Intervention to Prevent Development of PTSD in Burn Survivors and Their Caregivers

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalPrevention
University of Southern California
~44 participants
Updated 2026-06-18 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Promotion of Emotional Disclosure for Burns (PoED-B)minimally Enhanced Usual Care control (mEUC)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Social Constraints Scale
Measured over Before treatment, immediately after ending treatment, 6-week follow-up
+5 more outcomes measured
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Burns
Traumatic Injury
Acute Stress Disorder
Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders
Trauma and Stress Related Disorders
Stress Disorder
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorders, Traumatic
Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute
Relationship, Social
1 sites across 1 states
California1
  • Sarah Stoycos, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Alert, oriented, \& not withdrawing from substance at time of screening
Can read and write in English
Hospitalized within 10 days of burn injury
Anticipated discharge \<=4 weeks
Have an email, mailing address, and at least 1 smart device for telehealth sessions
PTSD risk score of 2 or greater (patient-only)
Willing to attend therapy sessions with a loved one

Exclusion

Currently incarcerated or in police custody
\> 10 days post-burn
Lifetime diagnosis of primary psychosis or intellectual disability
Ongoing reported domestic violence in the dyad
Unstable bipolar disorder, severe substance use disorder, or acute suicidality with imminent intent that does not remit within 10 days of burn-injury
Inflammation Confounds (patient-only) of BMI \> 40, metabolic syndrome, admission A1C of \>= 6.5%
Currently receiving couples therapy
  • Social Constraints ScaleBefore treatment, immediately after ending treatment, 6-week follow-up

    The Social Constraints Scale is a self-report scale administered to both the patient and caregiver. It is designed to assess perceptions of negative reactions to trauma-disclosures. The scale contains 15 items, and each item is scored on a four-point scale ranging from 1 (never) to 4 (often) with total scores ranging from 15 to 60. A higher score indicates a higher frequency of experiencing social constraints.

  • Feasibility of Recruitmentbaseline

    Proportion of participants who agree to participate from the total number of those that are eligible and approached.

  • Feasibility of Data CollectionFrom enrollment to the end of study assessments at 6-weeks posttreament

    Proportion of participants who completed each and all assessment timepoints

  • Acceptability: Satisfaction with TreatmentImmediately after ending treatment

    Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) - Self-Report - The CSQ has 8 items assessing client satisfaction with the treatment they have received. Total scores range from 8-32; higher scores indicate greater client satisfaction/treatment acceptability. This measure will be completed by both patients and their loved ones.

  • Acceptabilitly: RetentionImmediately after ending treatment

    Proportion of enrolled dyads who completed at least 3 out of 4 PoED sessions.

  • Acceptability: Global Improvement RatingImmediately after ending treatment

    Proportion of participants who report overall improvement on the Global Rating of Change Scale