NCT05701111 · Stanford University
Building Resilience at Schools: Emotional and Biological Assessment and Treatment of Traumatic Stress
What this study is about
In the last four years alone, residents of Puerto Rico have experienced a slew of natural disasters including Hurricane Maria in 2017, earthquakes in 2019 and 2020, the continued COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2022, and most recently Hurricane Fiona. This series of distressing events can lead to an increased need for mental health resources and trauma treatment.
View original scientific description
In the last four years alone, residents of Puerto Rico have experienced a slew of natural disasters including Hurricane Maria in 2017, earthquakes in 2019 and 2020, the continued COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2022, and most recently Hurricane Fiona. This series of distressing events can lead to an increased need for mental health resources and trauma treatment. Furthermore, the unique single-district structure of the Puerto Rican education system allows for the efficient dissemination of potential interventions and treatment to all students. The purpose of this study is to examine two treatment conditions for educators and school-aged children in Puerto Rico experiencing burnout, fatigue, and high stress: delivery of a mindfulness-based educator curriculum and, for children who report Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, delivery of the mindfulness curriculum with the additional intervention of Cue-Centered Therapy (CCT). The study has two aims: 1) To assess the efficacy of the mindfulness curriculum and of CCT in a population of students, counselors, and teachers, characterized by high stress over the last few years of natural disasters and pandemic challenges and 2) To identify genetic contributions to resilience by analyzing gene expression in students before and after the intervention. The overarching goals of the investigators' research collaboration are to improve educators' psychological well-being and children's socioemotional development when faced with high stress and adversity and to improve mental health clinicians' competence and confidence in treating children exposed to trauma by training them in CCT. The investigators' research will identify critical biopsychosocial components responsible for the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional improvement and effective implementation strategies in a large but geographically dispersed school district. The knowledge base that will result from this study will inform the implementation of trauma-informed care in school settings and with populations experiencing stress and adversity, and contribute to the investigators' understanding of the underlying biology of these interventions to provide a rationale for further development and dissemination.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Start with the Heart Students
The Start with the Heart curriculum includes psychoeducation, lessons, and activities, on mindfulness, neurobiology, meditation, positive thinking, movement, and nutrition to promote well-being. The curriculum will be taught in the classroom to students for 15-20 min per day for 6-8 weeks.
BEHAVIORAL
Start with the Heart Teachers
Pure Edge Inc will train teachers to deliver the Start with the Heart curriculum. The training emphasizes the neuroscience of stress and educator self-care. The teachers will implement the training in their respective classrooms for 6-8 weeks.
BEHAVIORAL
Cue Centered Therapy Counselors
The Early Life Stress and Resilience Program team members will train school counselors on Cue-Centered Therapy through self-paced online modules, virtual and in-person live training, and office hours as needed. Counselors will implement the intervention with eligible students for 15-18 weeks.
BEHAVIORAL
Cue Centered Therapy Students
Students who report a threshold of PTSD symptoms will be offered participation in Cue-Centered Therapy with their school counselors. They will have one-on-one therapy that targets trauma experiences through cognitive behavioral tools, narrative therapy, exposure therapy, psychoeducation, and more. Their caregivers will be involved as needed. They will enroll in treatment for 15-18 weeks.
GENETIC
iSWAB-DNA
Eligible students will give DNA buccal swabs at 2-3 time points for later analysis of genetic markers.
Primary outcome measures
Mean Change from Baseline in Resilience Score
Time frame: Three time points: Baseline, week 8, week 23
Resilience is assessed using the Child/Youth and Adult Resilience Measure on a 5- point Likert scale. Score range 1 to 5 (1=Not at all, 5=A lot). The total score is summed. Changes in scores will be assessed between all time points.
Mean Change from Baseline in Work Self-Efficacy Score
Time frame: Teachers: Baseline, week 8; Counselors: Baseline, week 23
Work Self-Efficacy is assessed on a 5- point Likert scale. Score range 1 to 5 (1=Not well at all, 5=Very Well). The total score is summed. Changes in scores will be assessed between all time points.
Mean Change from Baseline in Anxiety Score
Time frame: Three time points: Baseline, week 8, week 23
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms are assessed using the GAD-7 on a 4- point Likert scale. Score range 0 to 3 (0=Not at all, 3=Nearly every day). Total score is summed. Changes in scores will be assessed between all time points.
Mean Change from Baseline in Depression Score
Time frame: Three time points: Baseline, week 8, week 23
Depression is assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-8 on a 4- point Likert scale. Score range 0 to 3 (0=Not at all, 3=Nearly every day). Total score is summed. Changes in scores will be assessed between all time points.
Mean Change from Baseline in Somatic Symptoms Score
Time frame: Three time points: Baseline, week 8, week 23
Somatic symptoms are assessed using the PHQ-15 on a 3- point Likert scale. Score range 0 to 2 (0=Not bothered at all, 2=Bothered a lot). Total score is summed. Changes in scores will be assessed between all time points.
Changes in Methylation Pattern of Genes
Time frame: Three time points: Baseline, week 8, week 23
Using DNA methylation to analyze DNA samples from buccal swabs to investigate genetic markers of resilience. Genetic markers to be analyzed include: CTNNB1, ITGB8, CSRP2, WTAP, TSC22D1, HNRNPH1, NTRK2, DCX, CDK14, PTNN, SLC1A3, IGFBP2, ERBB4. Changes in genetic expressions will be assessed between all time points.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Teachers and students at a participating school site, Adults and students/caregivers willing to participate in the study
- For Cue Centered Therapy:
- Youth aged 11-17 with exposure to at least one Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) 5-defined traumatic event and meeting threshold criteria for posttraumatic symptoms per the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) PTSD scale.
- Willingness to participate in therapy
- Caregiver willing to participate in therapy
- Perpetrator of the traumatic event is not living in the home with the child
Exclusion criteria
- 1\. For the general study and for Cue Centered Therapy:
- Students doing current trauma-focused interventions with a mental health professional
- Low cognitive functioning (IQ less than 70)
- Substance dependence as defined by DSM criteria
- Autism/Schizophrenia
- Clinically significant medical illness
Where
- Palo Alto, California
Collaborators
Pure Edge Inc., Iowa State University, Ponce Health Sciences University
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 18, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations