Actively Recruiting
Intensive Trauma-Focused Treatment for Adolescents With PTSD: Feasibility and Preliminary Effects
Led by Karolinska Institutet · Updated on 2025-09-23
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
98 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
K
Karolinska Institutet
Lead Sponsor
R
Region Stockholm
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in adolescents is a debilitating condition that, without timely intervention, risks becoming chronic and severely impairing development. Although evidence-based treatments such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are effective, they typically require weekly sessions over 6-9 months, which many adolescents struggle to complete. High dropout rates remain a significant clinical challenge. Intensive trauma-focused interventions have shown promising outcomes in adults, including rapid symptom reduction and improved retention. Inspired by a Dutch model, this project evaluates a Swedish adaptation of Korte Intensieve Traumabehandeling (KIT), which combines EMDR, elements of TF-CBT, physical activity, and parental support in a 5-day intensive treatment. This project is a pilot study to examine the feasibility, early effects, and practicality of intensive trauma-focused therapy. The pilot study is the first step toward planning a larger, controlled study in Swedish child and adolescent psychiatry. The following questions are included in the project: 1. Is intensive trauma-focused psychological treatment with EMDR, components of TF-CBT, combined with physical activity and a parent group a feasible, suitable, and acceptable treatment method for PTSD within Swedish child and adolescent psychiatry in terms of: 1. Therapists' ratings of whether they find the intensive trauma-focused treatment acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. 2. The number of patients who complete the treatment without dropping out 3. Patients' self-reported satisfaction with the treatment 4. The proportion of patients with "adverse effects" 2. Does intensive trauma-focused psychological treatment with EMDR, components of TF-CBT, combined with physical activity and a parent group for PTSD, lead to a decrease in symptoms in the expected direction in terms of: 1. PTSD symptoms 2. General mental health
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Intensive Trauma-Focused Treatment for Adolescents With PTSD: Feasibility and Preliminary Effects
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients with PTSD between 13 and 17 years of age who are referred to the specialized trauma unit within Stockholm Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Diagnosis of PTSD
- No or stable medication involving antidepressants, stimulants, and/or antipsychotics
- At least one caregiver can participate in the treatment
You will not qualify if you...
- High risk for suicide
- IQ below 75
- Current substance abuse
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre for Psychiatry Research
Stockholm, Sweden, 17177
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Maja Vinnerljung, Psychologist
CONTACT
M
Maria Helander, PhD, Psychologist
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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