RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

Animal-assisted Trauma-focused Therapy for Children and Adolescents

Effects of a Psychotherapy Group Program for Children and Adolescents With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms

About This Trial

The study aims to investigate how the inclusion of an animal into a trauma-focused group therapy program (TF-CBT) affects therapy motivation of children and adolescents suffering from post-traumatic stress. 80 children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years are recruited for the study. Participants must have experienced at least one traumatic event leading to post-traumatic stress symptoms. Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups: animal-assisted trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) or standard trauma-focused therapy (TF-CBT). Parallel to the groups the parents/guardians of the participating children and adolescents take part in three parent meetings. The results of the study help to gain insights into how the inclusion of animals in trauma-focused psychotherapy can contribute to children and adolescents attending therapy, being more motivated in therapy, and can successfully complete therapy.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Age between 9 and 17 years - experienced a traumatic event - remembers at least one traumatic event - Suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms (screened via the CATS-2; cut-off ≥ 21; cut-off must be reached by either participant or caregiver) - Basic knowledge of child and parents in German to be able to understand content of the session and to fill in questionnaires - willing to sign a consent form (given by legal guardian for participants younger than 14 years) - Positive or neutral attitude towards animals Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Inability to complete questionnaires due to lack of language skills or cognitive impairment - Diagnosed autism spectrum disorder; Exclusion only if interaction with others and group ability is limited due to autism - Reported significant impairment or safety issue (e.g., active suicidal ideation, acute psychosis) - Known abuse of substances used for emotion regulation (e.g. cannabis, alcohol, other hard drugs) - Fear of domestic animals - Allergic reactions to domestic animals - Reported aggressive behavior towards animals in the past Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 9 and 17 years * experienced a traumatic event * remembers at least one traumatic event * Suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms (screened via the CATS-2; cut-off ≥ 21; cut-off must be reached by either participant or caregiver) * Basic knowledge of child and parents in German to be able to understand content of the session and to fill in questionnaires * Informed consent (given by legal guardian for participants younger than 14 years) * Positive or neutral attitude towards animals Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to complete questionnaires due to lack of language skills or cognitive impairment * Diagnosed autism spectrum disorder; Exclusion only if interaction with others and group ability is limited due to autism * Reported significant impairment or safety issue (e.g., active suicidal ideation, acute psychosis) * Known abuse of substances used for emotion regulation (e.g. cannabis, alcohol, other hard drugs) * Fear of domestic animals * Allergic reactions to domestic animals * Reported aggressive behavior towards animals in the past

Treatments Being Tested

BEHAVIORAL

Animal-assisted trauma-focused therapy

Animal-assisted trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) is a specific form of trauma treatment, in which one or more animals are integrated into the therapy. AA TF-CBT follows a structured, standardized therapy manual.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard trauma-focused therapy

Standard trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) is a standardized trauma therapy following a structured manual.

Locations (2)

University of Basel

Basel, Switzerland

Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich

Zurich, Switzerland