Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child

University of Montana2 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Post Trauma Nightmares Traumatic Stress

Interventions

Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-ChildBEHAVIORAL

Exposure, Relaxation, \& Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) will be conducted once a week for five consecutive weeks for approximately two hours per session. Each treatment session focuses on one of the following topics/skills: psycho-education and investment in treatment, psycho-education, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, child-friendly exposure to the trauma-nightmare, and rescription.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 8 YearsMax age: 13 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Exclusion Criteria: * adult, no traumatic experience, no nightmares, apparent psychosis, pervasive developmental disorder, or mental retardation, not able to read and speak English

Locations (1)

University of Montana

Missoula, Montana, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Trauma Related Nightmare Survey - Child Version (TRNS-C) Reflecting change in nightmare frequency, severity, and duration

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.

Time frame: 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.

Secondary Outcomes

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)

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.

Time frame: 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups

Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)

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.

Time frame: 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups

Nightmare Distress Questionnaire - Modified (NDQ)

The NDQ is a 13-item self-report measure of nightmare related distress. Higher scores are significantly related to interest in therapy for nightmares.

Time frame: 1 wk pre-treatment & 1 wk, 3 mo, 6 mo post-treatment follow-ups

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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