Evaluation of a single-session educational video program for people with PTSD symptoms: Results of a pilot randomized controlled trial

Objective: This paper describes the development and pilot evaluation of a single-session 20-minute educational video program for people with PTSD symptoms. Methods: A pilot randomized waitlist controlled trial was conducted with an international sample of adults with PTSD symptoms (N = 54). Results: Within-subjects analyses showed that participants in the intervention group had statistically significant decreases in self-stigma (F = 4.388, p < .05, ηp2 =.188, large effect) and post-traumatic maladaptive beliefs (F = 7.757, p < .01, ηp2 = .290, large effect), while participants in the control group did not have such changes. No significant between-subjects effects were observed. Discussion: Despite several major limitations, including a high attrition rate, a small sample size, and the use of self-report assessments, the preliminary findings revealed that watching the 20-minute video was associated with decreases in self-stigma and post-traumatic maladaptive beliefs in people with PTSD symptoms. Further evaluation using a more rigorous study design and a larger sample size is needed, after making modifications and enrichments to the program.