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Intensive Trauma-Focused Treatment for Adolescents With PTSD: Feasibility and Preliminary Effects

Intensive Trauma-Focused Treatment for Adolescents With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Feasibility and Preliminary Effects

About This Trial

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in adolescents is a debilitating condition that, without timely intervention, risks becoming chronic and severely impairing development. Although evidence-based treatments such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are effective, they typically require weekly sessions over 6-9 months, which many adolescents struggle to complete. High dropout rates remain a significant clinical challenge. Intensive trauma-focused interventions have shown promising outcomes in adults, including rapid symptom reduction and improved retention. Inspired by a Dutch model, this project evaluates a Swedish adaptation of Korte Intensieve Traumabehandeling (KIT), which combines EMDR, elements of TF-CBT, physical activity, and parental support in a 5-day intensive treatment. This project is a pilot study to examine the feasibility, early effects, and practicality of intensive trauma-focused therapy. The pilot study is the first step toward planning a larger, controlled study in Swedish child and adolescent psychiatry. The following questions are included in the project: 1. Is intensive trauma-focused psychological treatment with EMDR, components of TF-CBT, combined with physical activity and a parent group a feasible, suitable, and acceptable treatment method for PTSD within Swedish child and adolescent psychiatry in terms of: 1. Therapists' ratings of whether they find the intensive trauma-focused treatment acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. 2. The number of patients who complete the treatment without dropping out 3. Patients' self-reported satisfaction with the treatment 4. The proportion of patients with "adverse effects" 2. Does intensive trauma-focused psychological treatment with EMDR, components of TF-CBT, combined with physical activity and a parent group for PTSD, lead to a decrease in symptoms in the expected direction in terms of: 1. PTSD symptoms 2. General mental health

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Patients with PTSD between 13 and 17 years of age who are referred to the specialized trauma unit within Stockholm Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Patients who meet inclusion criteria after assessment at the BUP Trauma Unit are informed about the study. If interested, they attend a meeting to receive further information and provide consent. Background data is collected, and a diagnostic interview (CAPS-CA-5) is scheduled. Inclusion is decided during treatment planning meetings. Who May Qualify: - Diagnosis of PTSD - No or stable medication involving antidepressants, stimulants, and/or antipsychotics - At least one caregiver can participate in the treatment Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - High risk for suicide - IQ below 75 - Current substance abuse Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Patients with PTSD between 13 and 17 years of age who are referred to the specialized trauma unit within Stockholm Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Patients who meet inclusion criteria after assessment at the BUP Trauma Unit are informed about the study. If interested, they attend a meeting to receive further information and provide consent. Background data is collected, and a diagnostic interview (CAPS-CA-5) is scheduled. Inclusion is decided during treatment planning meetings. Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of PTSD * No or stable medication involving antidepressants, stimulants, and/or antipsychotics * At least one caregiver can participate in the treatment Exclusion Criteria: * High risk for suicide * IQ below 75 * Current substance abuse

Treatments Being Tested

BEHAVIORAL

Intensive trauma-focused treatment

The treatment program includes components of Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), physical activity, as well as parent sessions. The intensive treatment largely follows the Dutch intensive trauma treatment program "Korte Intensieve Traumabehandeling" (KIT) (Albisser et al., 2024). The intensive treatment incorporates core components from TF-CBT for children and adolescents (Cohen \& Mannarino, 2008) as well as the standard EMDR protocol (Shapiro, 2018).

Locations (1)

Centre for Psychiatry Research

Stockholm, Sweden