Treating sexually abused children: 1 year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the durability of improvement in response to two alternative treatments for sexually abused children.


METHODS
Eighty-two sexually abused children ages 8-15 years old and their primary caretakers were randomly assigned to trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) or non-directive supportive therapy (NST) delivered over 12 sessions; this study examines symptomatology during 12 months posttreatment.


METHODS
Intent-to-treat and treatment completer repeated measures analyses were conducted.


RESULTS
Intent-to-treat indicated significant group x time effects in favor of TF-CBT on measures of depression, anxiety, and sexual problems. Among treatment completers, the TF-CBT group evidenced significantly greater improvement in anxiety, depression, sexual problems and dissociation at the 6-month follow-up and in PTSD and dissociation at the 12-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides additional support for the durability of TF-CBT effectiveness.
Cohen
Judith A
JA
Drexel University College of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Four Allegheny Center, 8th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA.
Mannarino
Anthony P
AP
Knudsen
Kraig
K
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome