Animal-assisted Trauma-focused Therapy for Children and Adolescents

NCT ID: NCT05608551

Last Updated: 2024-07-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-10-01

Study Completion Date

2028-07-31

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Motivation Alliance, Therapeutic

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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AA TF-CBT

Participants receive a 10-week animal-assisted trauma-focused group therapy.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Animal-assisted trauma-focused therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

TF-CBT

Participants receive a 10-week standard trauma-focused group therapy.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard trauma-focused therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) is a standardized trauma therapy following a structured manual.

Interventions

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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.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard trauma-focused therapy

Standard trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) is a standardized trauma therapy following a structured manual.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age between 9 and 17 years
* experienced a traumatic event
* remembers at least one traumatic event
* Suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms (screened via the CATS-2; cut-off ≥ 21; cut-off must be reached by either participant or caregiver)
* Basic knowledge of child and parents in German to be able to understand content of the session and to fill in questionnaires
* Informed consent (given by legal guardian for participants younger than 14 years)
* Positive or neutral attitude towards animals

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to complete questionnaires due to lack of language skills or cognitive impairment
* Diagnosed autism spectrum disorder; Exclusion only if interaction with others and group ability is limited due to autism
* Reported significant impairment or safety issue (e.g., active suicidal ideation, acute psychosis)
* Known abuse of substances used for emotion regulation (e.g. cannabis, alcohol, other hard drugs)
* Fear of domestic animals
* Allergic reactions to domestic animals
* Reported aggressive behavior towards animals in the past
Minimum Eligible Age

9 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

17 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Zurich

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Basel

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dr. Karin Hediger

Prof. Dr.

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University of Basel

Basel, , Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich

Zurich, , Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Switzerland

Central Contacts

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Karin Hediger, Prof. Dr.

Role: CONTACT

(+41) 061 207 65 80

Wanda Arnskötter, MSc.

Role: CONTACT

(+41) 61 207 65 83

Facility Contacts

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Karin Hediger

Role: primary

Susanne Walitza

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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2022-01327

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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