A randomized trial of cognitive behavior therapy and cognitive therapy for children with posttraumatic stress disorder following single-incident trauma: Predictors and outcome at 1-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The 1-year outcome and moderators of adjustment for children and youth receiving treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following single-incident trauma was examined.


METHODS
Children and youth who had experienced single-incident trauma (N = 33; 7-17 years old) were randomly assigned to receive 9 weeks of either trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or trauma-focused cognitive therapy (without exposure; CT) that was administered to them and their parents individually.


RESULTS
Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated that both groups maintained posttreatment gains in PTSD, depression and general anxiety symptoms reductions at 1-year follow-up, with no children meeting criteria for PTSD. A large proportion of children showed good end-state functioning at follow-up (CBT: 65%; CT: 71%). Contrary to 6-month outcomes, maternal adjustment no longer moderated children's outcome, nor did any other tested variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings confirm the positive longer-term outcomes of using trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral methods for PTSD secondary to single-incident trauma and that these outcomes are not dependent on the use of exposure. (PsycINFO Database Record
School of Psychology, Flinders University.
Reginald D V
RDV
Nixon
School of Psychology, Flinders University.
Jisca
J
Sterk
School of Psychology, Flinders University.
Amanda
A
Pearce
School of Psychology, Flinders University.
Nathan
N
Weber
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome