This cluster-randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an AI-assisted Guided Narrative Writing (AI-GNW) in alleviating emotional distress among adolescents. Classes will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three arms-AI-GNW, a no-feedback GNW (NF-GNW), or a Neutral Writing Group (NWG)-and will complete a three-day writing intervention. On the first day, participants in both GNW conditions will recount a negative experience and reflect on their thoughts and feelings; on the second day, they will focus exclusively on the negative aspects of that experience; and on the third day, they will explore its positive dimensions. In contrast, NWG participants will objectively document their previous day's daily routine. After each session, those in the AI-GNW arm will receive individualized, AI-generated feedback, whereas NF-GNW participants will proceed without feedback.
Who can participate
Age range
10 Years – 19 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Native speakers of Chinese who are proficient in reading and writing Chinese.
* Signed a informed consent form and voluntarily agreed to participate.
* Owns a smartphone, tablet, or similar electronic device and is able to complete the required questionnaires and writing tasks.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Prior clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia or any other major psychiatric disorder.
* Presence of severe cognitive impairment, language-expression difficulties, or any other condition that would impede writing ability.
* Participation in another similar psychological intervention or psychotherapy within the past three months.
* Inability to tolerate a group-based intervention setting due to personal health conditions (e.g., serious illness).
* Unwillingness or inability to provide necessary cooperation or to sign the informed consent form.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)
Timeframe: Baseline (day 0), post-intervention (day 4), and follow-ups at 1 (day 34), and 3 (day 64) months after the intervention.