Military Personnel With High PressureNCT07426341
Mindfulness-based Writing Expression Training Among Military Personnel
A study testing mindfulness-based writing expression intervention and Regular Mental Health Education Group in people with Military Personnel With High Pressure, run by Xiaofan Yan at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if mindfulness-based writing expression training works to improve stress and cognitive flexibility among military personnel. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the mindfulness-based writing expression training lower the scores of the perceived stress scale and of… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Military Personnel With High Pressure
- What is being tested?
- mindfulness-based writing expression intervention and Regular Mental Health Education Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 72 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 10 Aug 2025to 30 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Active-duty military personnel who are experiencing psychological stress can participate in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Writing Expression Training on Stress and Cognitive Flexibility Among Military Personnel
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if mindfulness-based writing expression training works to improve stress and cognitive flexibility among military personnel. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does the mindfulness-based writing expression training lower the scores of the perceived stress scale and of the cognitive flexibility inventory?
- Researchers will compare the mindfulness-based writing expression training to the regular mental health education to see if the mindfulness-based writing expression training works to relieve stress and enhance cognitive flexibility among military personnel.
Read more
Participants will:
The intervention group received five sessions of mindfulness-based expressive writing training.
The control group carried out activities according to the daily mental health education training without any additional intervention.
All participants completed assessments of cognitive flexibility and perceived stress using the Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale, administered both prior to and following the randomized controlled trial.
- Conditions
- Military Personnel With High Pressure
- Being tested
- mindfulness-based writing expression intervention, Regular Mental Health Education Group
- Keywords
- mindfulness, expressive writing, perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, active-duty military personnel
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
mindfulness-based writing expression interventionOther
Each intervention session followed a standardized protocol comprising: (1) a 5-minute guided mindfulness breathing exercise; (2) 20-30 minutes of expressive writing; (3) 10-20 minutes of facilitated group sharing and discussion; and (4) a concluding 5-minute guided mindfulness breathing exercise.
Regular Mental Health Education GroupOther
Regular mental health education covers: common psychological problems among active-duty military personnel, methods for stress relief, and techniques for identifying and handling abnormal psychological conditions. 40 to 60 minutes each day, for a total of 5 days.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-based writing expression training group | Experimental | The intervention group received five sessions of mindfulness-based expressive writing training. Each session lasts for 40 to 60 minutes, including 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation, 20 to 30 minutes of writing expression, and 10 to 20 minutes of discussion and sharing. This is done once a day for 5 consecutive days. Receives: Other: mindfulness-based writing expression intervention |
| control group | Active comparator | The control group carried out regular mental health education activities during the same period, each session lasting 40 to 60 minutes, once a day for 5 consecutive days. Receives: Other: Regular Mental Health Education Group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
perceived stress
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is used to measure the participants' perceived stress levels over the previous month. This scale contains 14 items, including 7 measuring loss of control and 7 measuring perceived tension, with responses ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (always). Notably, items 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13 are scored in reverse order. The total scores ranged between 0 and 56, with higher scores indicating increased levels of stress.
Measured: Baseline: The perceived stress level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the perceived stress of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
cognitive flexibility
The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) is used to measure participants' cognitive flexibility levels. It contains 20 items, which include 10 for control ability and 10 for alternatives, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (completely agree). Importantly, items 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 and 17 are scored in reverse order. The total scores ranged between 20 and 140, with higher scores indicating higher cognitive flexibility levels.
Measured: The cognitive flexibility level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the cognitive flexibility of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
Secondary outcomes (3)
anxiety
The anxiety levels of active-duty military personnel The participants' anxiety is measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). It is a measure used to assess the severity of symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. This scale contains 7 items, the scores for each item, on the GAD range from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), and the total score ranges from 0 to 21. A higher total score indicates a higher level of anxiety. GAD-7 score > 14 has been shown to indicate severe anxiety .
Measured: The anxiety level of military personnel was evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale was used again to assess the anxiety of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
depression
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is used to assess depression severity among military personnel. The scale contains 9 items. The response options for each item, of the PHQ-9 range from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total PHQ-9 score ranges from 0 to 27. A higher total score indicates a higher level of depression.
Measured: The depression level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the depression level of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
posttraumatic growth
The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is used to determine the positive changes that occur as a result of the traumatic events experienced by military personnel. Participants are asked to rate the degree to which they have experienced the change described by each item. The scale consists of 21 items in total and uses a 6-point Likert-type response scale ranging from 0 (almost never) to 5 (almost always). The total score ranges from 0 to 105, and the higher the score is, the greater the level of posttraumatic growth.
Measured: The posttraumatic growth level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the posttraumatic growth of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Feb 2026
- Study start10 Aug 2025
- Primary completion30 Aug 2025
- Study completion30 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Military Personnel With High PressureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Xiaofan Yan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Xiaofan Yan, Army Medical University, China
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07426341
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ArmyMedUniversity
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Writing Expression Training on Stress and Cognitive Flexibility Among Military Personnel
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07426341
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ArmyMedUniversity
- Conditions
- Military Personnel With High Pressure
- Keywords
- mindfulness, expressive writing, perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, active-duty military personnel
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Xiaofan YanUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if mindfulness-based writing expression training works to improve stress and cognitive flexibility among military personnel. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does the mindfulness-based writing expression training lower the scores of the perceived stress scale and of the cognitive flexibility inventory?
- Researchers will compare the mindfulness-based writing expression training to the regular mental health education to see if the mindfulness-based writing expression training works to relieve stress and enhance cognitive flexibility among military personnel.
Participants will:
The intervention group received five sessions of mindfulness-based expressive writing training.
The control group carried out activities according to the daily mental health education training without any additional intervention.
All participants completed assessments of cognitive flexibility and perceived stress using the Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale, administered both prior to and following the randomized controlled trial.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-based writing expression training group | Experimental | Other: mindfulness-based writing expression interventionThe intervention group received five sessions of mindfulness-based expressive writing training. Each session lasts for 40 to 60 minutes, including 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation, 20 to 30 minutes of writing expression, and 10 to 20 minutes of discussion and sharing. This is done once a day for 5 consecutive days. |
| control group | Active comparator | Other: Regular Mental Health Education GroupThe control group carried out regular mental health education activities during the same period, each session lasting 40 to 60 minutes, once a day for 5 consecutive days. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| mindfulness-based writing expression interventionEach intervention session followed a standardized protocol comprising: (1) a 5-minute guided mindfulness breathing exercise; (2) 20-30 minutes of expressive writing; (3) 10-20 minutes of facilitated group sharing and discussion; and (4) a concluding 5-minute guided mindfulness breathing exercise. | Other | Mindfulness-based writing expression training group |
| Regular Mental Health Education GroupRegular mental health education covers: common psychological problems among active-duty military personnel, methods for stress relief, and techniques for identifying and handling abnormal psychological conditions. 40 to 60 minutes each day, for a total of 5 days. | Other | control group |
Primary outcome
perceived stress
Time frame: Baseline: The perceived stress level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the perceived stress of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is used to measure the participants' perceived stress levels over the previous month. This scale contains 14 items, including 7 measuring loss of control and 7 measuring perceived tension, with responses ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (always). Notably, items 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13 are scored in reverse order. The total scores ranged between 0 and 56, with higher scores indicating increased levels of stress.
cognitive flexibility
Time frame: The cognitive flexibility level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the cognitive flexibility of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) is used to measure participants' cognitive flexibility levels. It contains 20 items, which include 10 for control ability and 10 for alternatives, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (completely agree). Importantly, items 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 and 17 are scored in reverse order. The total scores ranged between 20 and 140, with higher scores indicating higher cognitive flexibility levels.
3 secondary outcomes
anxiety
Time frame: The anxiety level of military personnel was evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale was used again to assess the anxiety of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
depression
Time frame: The depression level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the depression level of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
posttraumatic growth
Time frame: The posttraumatic growth level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the posttraumatic growth of the military personnel immediately afterwards.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing mindfulness-based writing expression intervention and Regular Mental Health Education Group in people with Military Personnel With High Pressure, run by Xiaofan Yan at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
perceived stress (time frame: Baseline: The perceived stress level of military personnel is evaluated one day before the intervention. After 5 sessions intervention, the same scale is used again to assess the perceived stress of the military personnel immediately afterwards.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Feb 2026.