Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child
- Conditions
- Post Trauma NightmaresTraumatic Stress
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child
- Registration Number
- NCT02184026
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Montana
- Brief Summary
The study implements a trauma-related nightmare treatment for children aged 8 to 13 years. Relevant outcome progress and outcome measures on symptoms, nightmare distress and duration, academic indicators, and sleep quality will be examined.
- Detailed Description
Untreated trauma-related nightmares and sleep-related disorders are associated with chronic health problems, burdening both the suffering individual and the health-care system. The study implements an innovative, cost-efficient, nightmare treatment for trauma-exposed children. It is one of the first randomized clinical trials with children, adapting an efficacious adult therapy to a 5-session nightmare treatment for 8-13 year-olds. Trauma nightmares are a mechanism in development and maintenance of secondary post-trauma psychopathology, medical problems, and family dysfunction. Therefore, this treatment may prevent long-term secondary health and behavioral problems. It provides a viable health care option to Montanans, lessening long-term financial, medical, and behavioral health expenses. Scientific models currently view PTSD treatment as primary, often leaving nightmares untreated. That approach does not address the pernicious impact of trauma-nightmares in individuals with sub-threshold PTSD or whose nightmares are a primary condition. The theoretical innovation of this therapy can advance the field's understanding of the development of trauma sequelae.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 2
- children age 8-13 with PTSD Criterion A event as defined by the DSM-IV and nightmares occurring at least once per week over a minimum of one month
- have a parent or legal guardian who is able to participate in treatment assignments at home and be able to read and speak English
- adult, no traumatic experience, no nightmares, apparent psychosis, pervasive developmental disorder, or mental retardation, not able to read and speak English
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child Exposure, Relaxation, \& Rescripting Therapy-Child utilizes behavioral and cognitive therapy techniques of exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Trauma Related Nightmare Survey - Child Version (TRNS-C) Reflecting change in nightmare frequency, severity, and duration Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for follow-ups at 3 months & 6 months post treatment. The TRNS-C is a 14-item self-report measure that assesses current sleep quality, frequency, severity, and duration of nightmares, as well as cognitions, emotions, and behaviors related to nightmares in children.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The RCADS is a 47-item scale that corresponds to the DSM-IV anxiety disorders and it incorporates a sub scale for major depression. There is a six-factor structure with the following sub scales: Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder.
Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire - Child Version (SDQ) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The SDQ is a self-report instrument designed for completion by 11-16 year-olds. Specifically, children respond to 25 attributes (emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer relationships, and prosocial behaviors).
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - Parent Version (SDQ) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The SDQ has two parent versions designed for 4-10 year-olds and 11-16 year-olds. Specifically, parents respond to 25 attributes (emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer relationships, and prosocial behavior).
University of California at Los Angeles Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) (UPID) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The UPID screens for trauma exposure and posttraumatic symptoms among youth 7 to 18 years old. It queries types of trauma exposures, assesses for DSM-IV criteria of traumatic exposure and the past-month frequency of PTSD symptoms and two associated features of PTSD in childhood.
Nightmare Distress Questionnaire - Modified (NDQ) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The NDQ is a 13-item self-report measure of nightmare related distress. Higher scores are significantly related to interest in therapy for nightmares.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The PSQI is a 19-item self-report measure of sleep quality and disturbance. It queries sleep quality and disturbances over the last month. Seven component scores are generated from this measure including: subjective sleep quality, latency, duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep problems, use of sleep medications, and daytime dysfunction.
Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The CSHQ is a 33-item parent-report measure of sleep behavior that can be used by parents of school-aged children. A total score is derived from items from 8 sub scales: Bedtime Resistance, Sleep Onset Delay, Sleep Duration, Sleep Anxiety, Night Wakings, Parasomnias, Sleep-Disordered Breathing, and Daytime Sleepiness.
Academic Grade Point Average (GPA) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups GPA will be collected as a measure of academic performance.
The Parenting Stress Scale (PSS) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The PSS is an 18-item measure that assesses stress related to parenting (e.g., "I am happy in my role as a parent," "Having child(ren) has been a financial burden").
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - Parent self-report (PSQI) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups Similar to the child version, the adult form of the PSQI is a 19-item self-report measure of sleep quality and disturbance. It queries sleep quality and disturbances over the last month. It will serve as an index of secondary gain from treatment by way of parent's improved sleep quality and quantity.
The McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups The FAD is a 53-item measure that identifies seven dimensions of family functioning: Problem Solving, Communication, Roles, Affective Responses, Affective Involvement, Behavior Control, and General Functioning.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Montana
🇺🇸Missoula, Montana, United States