AA TF-CBT: Animal-assisted Trauma-focused Therapy for Children and Adolescents
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The study aims to investigate how the inclusion of an animal into a trauma-focused group therapy program (TF-CBT) affects therapy motivation of children and adolescents suffering from post-traumatic stress. 80 children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years are recruited for the study. Participants must have experienced at least one traumatic event leading to post-traumatic stress symptoms. Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups: animal-assisted trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) or standard trauma-focused therapy (TF-CBT). Parallel to the groups the parents/guardians of the participating children and adolescents take part in three parent meetings.
The results of the study help to gain insights into how the inclusion of animals in trauma-focused psychotherapy can contribute to children and adolescents attending therapy, being more motivated in therapy, and can successfully complete therapy.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: AA TF-CBT Participants receive a 10-week animal-assisted trauma-focused group therapy. |
Behavioral: Animal-assisted trauma-focused therapy
Animal-assisted trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) is a specific form of trauma treatment, in which one or more animals are integrated into the therapy. AA TF-CBT follows a structured, standardized therapy manual.
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| Active Comparator: TF-CBT Participants receive a 10-week standard trauma-focused group therapy. |
Behavioral: Standard trauma-focused therapy
Standard trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) is a standardized trauma therapy following a structured manual.
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Change of Therapy Motivation of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. [before treatment (baseline), after 10 weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up)]
Therapy motivation is assessed using the validated Situational Motivation Scale for Children (SMS-15, Skalski, 2019). The SMS-15 consists of 15 items answered with a 7 point likert scale. The total score equals the ratings of the 15 items on the scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome (increased motivation), lower scores mean a worse outcome (decreased motivation). The questionnaire assesses the motivation from the perception of the child.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Change of Therapeutic alliance of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. [before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up)]
Therapeutic alliance is assessed using the german adaptation of the "Therapeutic Alliance Scales for Children" (TASC)". The TASC consists of 12 items, answered with a 4 point likert scale. The total score equals the ratings of the 12 items on the scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome (increased alliance), lower scores mean a worse outcome (decreased alliance). The questionnaire assesses the therapeutic alliance from the perception of the child.
- Change of PTSD symptoms of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. [before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up)]
PTSD symptoms are assessed using the validated Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen 2 (CATS 7-17, Version 2.0; Sachser et al., 2022). The questionnaire consists of 20 items, answered on a 4 point likert scale. The total score equals the ratings of the 20 items on the scale. Higher scores mean a worse outcome (increased PTSD symptoms), lower scores mean a better outcome (decreased PTSD symptoms). The questionnaire assesses the PTSD symptoms from the perception of the child as well as from the caregivers perception.
- Change of Self-efficacy of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. [before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up)]
Self-efficacy will be assessed via the validated Questionnaire on Resources in Child-/and Adulthood (FRKJ 8-16, Lohaus, Nussbeck, 2016). The questionnaire consists of 60 items answered on a 4 point likert scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome (increased self-efficacy), lower scores mean a worse outcome (decreased self-efficacy). The questionnaire assesses self-efficacy from the perception of the child.
- Change of Quality of Life of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. [before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up)]
Quality of Life is assessed using the validated Inventory for the Assessment of Quality of Life for Children and Adolescents (ILK, Mattejat & Remschmidt, 2006). The questionnaire consists of 9 items answered on a 5 point likert scale. Lower scores mean a better outcome (increased quality of life), higher scores mean a worse outcome (decreased quality of life). The questionnaire assesses quality of life from the perception of the child.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Age between 9 and 17 years
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experienced a traumatic event
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Suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms (screened via the CATS-2; cut-off ≥ 21)
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Basic knowledge of child and parents in German to be able to understand content of the session and to fill in questionnaires
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Informed consent (given by legal guardian for participants younger than 14 years)
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Positive or neutral attitude towards animals
Exclusion Criteria:
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Diagnosed developmental disorder
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Diagnosed autism spectrum disorder
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Reported significant impairment or safety issue (e.g., active suicidal ideation, acute psychosis)
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Known abuse of substances used for emotion regulation (e.g. cannabis, alcohol, other hard drugs)
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Fear of domestic animals
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Allergic reactions to domestic animals
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Reported aggressive behavior towards animals in the past
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Basel | Basel | Switzerland | ||
| 2 | Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich | Zürich | Switzerland |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Basel
- University of Zurich
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 2022-01327