Trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy reduces PTSD more effectively than child centred therapy in children who have been sexually abused
Q Is trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy more effective than child centred therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in sexually abused children?
METHODS
Design:
Randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
Concealed.
Blinding:
Single blinded (clinicians).
Follow up period:
12 weeks.
Setting:
One metropolitan and one suburban outpatient clinic, USA; timeframe not specified.
Patients:
229 children aged 8–14 years with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after contact sexual abuse (DSM-IV). Exclusions: active psychotic or substance use disorder; non-English speaking; taking psychotropic medication for less than two months; parent or primary carer unwilling or unable to participate; parent or primary carer with active psychotic or substance use disorder.
Intervention:
Children were randomised to trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT; n = 114) or child centred therapy (CCT; n = 115). Treatments involved 12 weekly sessions with a trained CCT or TF-CBT therapist for each child and carer, except for three TF-CBT sessions …
