Tracking symptom changes during trauma-focused CBT for adolescents

Evaluating Symptom Variations and Observing Longitudinal Individual Change Effects in TF-CBT

See how trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) changes post-traumatic stress symptoms in adolescents aged 12–18 who have experienced trauma.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 21 (estimated)
• Ages: 12 Years to 18 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Children's Hospital, Zurich (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich)
• Trial ID: NCT07402681 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adolescents aged 12–18 with DSM-5 Criterion A trauma (after age 3), a CATS-2 total score ≥25, a nonoffending caregiver willing to join weekly TF-CBT sessions, stable/safe living circumstances, and sufficient German language skills are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients without significant PTSS, without a available nonoffending caregiver, unable to attend weekly in-person sessions, living in unsafe/unstable conditions, or lacking sufficient German language ability are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the project could clarify typical and individual symptom trajectories during TF-CBT, helping clinicians personalize care for adolescents with post-traumatic stress symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: TF-CBT is an established, evidence-based treatment that has reduced PTSD symptoms in youth, though single-case longitudinal tracking of individual symptom changes is less commonly reported.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Zurich, Canton of Zurich

• University Children's Hospital Zurich — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Lasse Bartels, PhD

Conditions: Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms, TF-CBT, post-traumatic stress symptoms, single-case experimental design