Tracking symptom changes during trauma-focused CBT for adolescents

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational project follows adolescents aged 12–18 with high post-traumatic stress symptoms as they receive trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) based on Cohen, Mannarino, & Deblinger (2017). Symptoms are measured repeatedly over the course of weekly TF-CBT sessions, with eligibility requiring a baseline Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen 2 (CATS-2) score of ≥25. The study uses single-case longitudinal analyses to capture individual patterns of symptom change rather than relying solely on group averages. A nonoffending caregiver participates in weekly sessions as part of the TF-CBT model, and all treatment occurs at the University Children's Hospital Zurich.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Participants will be included if:

1. they are between 12 and 18 years of age;
2. they have been exposed to at least one or more traumatic event(s) according to the DSM-5 A criteria after the age of 3 years and dating back at least 1 months (with regard to the ability of patients to remember the event(s) and to the high spontaneous remissions of PTSS in the first month after a traumatic event);
3. they exhibit high severity of DSM-5 PTSS as indicated by a total symptom score of ≥25 assessed with the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen 2 (CATS-2);
4. a nonoffending adult caregiver is available for the treatment and willing to participate in weekly treatment sessions (the inclusion of a caregiver is integral to the TF-CBT treatment model);
5. they are willing and able to attend weekly treatment sessions;
6. if their living circumstances are safe and stable to minimize the risk of re-traumatization during the project;
7. they and their caregiver have sufficient command of the German language (i.e., to participate in assessment \[read\] and treatment\[converse\]);
8. they and their caregivers possess a smartphone.
9. they and their caregiver provided written informed consent.

Participants will not be included if:

1. they exhibit acute suicidal behavior or have suicidal ideations requiring immediate hospitalization;
2. they have a documented developmental disorder (i.e., autism spectrum disorder) or current psychosis based on adolescent- and caregiver-report and clinical assessment;
3. they exhibit severe substance misuse based on clinical assessment;
4. take part in concurrent psychotherapy during TF-CBT;
5. exhibit severe intellectual disability based on clinical assessment.

Where it's running

• University Children's Hospital Zurich
  Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Lasse Bartels, PhD
• Email: lasse.bartels@kispi.uzh.ch
• Phone: +41 44 249 56 60

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.