Christina Schulte, Cedric Sachser, Rita Rosner, David Daniel Ebert, Anna-Carlotta Zarski
{"title":"Feasibility of a trauma-focused internet- and mobile-based intervention for youth with posttraumatic stress symptoms.","authors":"Christina Schulte, Cedric Sachser, Rita Rosner, David Daniel Ebert, Anna-Carlotta Zarski","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2364469","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Many youth with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) do not receive evidence-based care. Internet- and Mobile-Based Interventions (IMIs) comprising evidence-based trauma-focused components can address this gap, but research is scarce. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of a trauma-focused IMI for youth with PTSS.<b>Methods:</b> In a one-arm non-randomized prospective proof-of-concept study, 32 youths aged 15-21 years with clinically relevant PTSS (CATS ≥ 21) received access to a trauma-focused IMI with therapist guidance, comprising nine sessions on an eHealth platform accessible via web-browser. We used a feasibility framework assessing recruitment capability, sample characteristics, data collection, satisfaction, acceptability, study management abilities, safety aspects, and efficacy of the IMI in PTSS severity and related outcomes. Self-rated assessments took place pre-, mid-, post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up and clinician-rated assessments at baseline and post-intervention.<b>Results:</b> The sample mainly consisted of young adult females with interpersonal trauma and high PTSS levels (CATS, <i>M </i>= 31.63, <i>SD </i>= 7.64). The IMI sessions were found useful and comprehensible, whereas feasibility of trauma processing was perceived as difficult. Around one-third of participants (31%) completed the IMI's eight core sessions. The study completer analysis showed a significant reduction with large effects in self-rated PTSS at post-treatment [<i>t</i>(21) = 4.27; <i>p </i>< .001; <i>d </i>= 0.88] and follow-up [<i>t</i>(18) = 3.83; <i>p </i>= .001; <i>d </i>= 0.84], and clinician-rated PTSD severity at post-treatment [<i>t</i>(21) = 4.52; <i>p </i>< .001; <i>d </i>= 0.93]. The intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions for PTSS at post-treatment and follow-up with large effect sizes (<i>d </i>= -0.97- -1.02). All participants experienced at least one negative effect, with the most common being the resurfacing of unpleasant memories (<i>n </i>= 17/22, 77%).<b>Conclusion:</b> The study reached highly burdened young adults. The IMI was accepted in terms of usefulness and comprehensibility but many youths did not complete all sessions. Exploration of strategies to improve adherence in trauma-focused IMIs for youth is warranted, alongside the evaluation of the IMI's efficacy in a subsequent randomized controlled trial.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11225631/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.2364469","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/7/3 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Many youth with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) do not receive evidence-based care. Internet- and Mobile-Based Interventions (IMIs) comprising evidence-based trauma-focused components can address this gap, but research is scarce. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of a trauma-focused IMI for youth with PTSS.Methods: In a one-arm non-randomized prospective proof-of-concept study, 32 youths aged 15-21 years with clinically relevant PTSS (CATS ≥ 21) received access to a trauma-focused IMI with therapist guidance, comprising nine sessions on an eHealth platform accessible via web-browser. We used a feasibility framework assessing recruitment capability, sample characteristics, data collection, satisfaction, acceptability, study management abilities, safety aspects, and efficacy of the IMI in PTSS severity and related outcomes. Self-rated assessments took place pre-, mid-, post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up and clinician-rated assessments at baseline and post-intervention.Results: The sample mainly consisted of young adult females with interpersonal trauma and high PTSS levels (CATS, M = 31.63, SD = 7.64). The IMI sessions were found useful and comprehensible, whereas feasibility of trauma processing was perceived as difficult. Around one-third of participants (31%) completed the IMI's eight core sessions. The study completer analysis showed a significant reduction with large effects in self-rated PTSS at post-treatment [t(21) = 4.27; p < .001; d = 0.88] and follow-up [t(18) = 3.83; p = .001; d = 0.84], and clinician-rated PTSD severity at post-treatment [t(21) = 4.52; p < .001; d = 0.93]. The intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions for PTSS at post-treatment and follow-up with large effect sizes (d = -0.97- -1.02). All participants experienced at least one negative effect, with the most common being the resurfacing of unpleasant memories (n = 17/22, 77%).Conclusion: The study reached highly burdened young adults. The IMI was accepted in terms of usefulness and comprehensibility but many youths did not complete all sessions. Exploration of strategies to improve adherence in trauma-focused IMIs for youth is warranted, alongside the evaluation of the IMI's efficacy in a subsequent randomized controlled trial.
期刊介绍:
The European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT) is a peer-reviewed open access interdisciplinary journal owned by the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS). The European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT) aims to engage scholars, clinicians and researchers in the vital issues of how to understand, prevent and treat the consequences of stress and trauma, including but not limited to, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorders, substance abuse, burnout, and neurobiological or physical consequences, using the latest research or clinical experience in these areas. The journal shares ESTSS’ mission to advance and disseminate scientific knowledge about traumatic stress. Papers may address individual events, repeated or chronic (complex) trauma, large scale disasters, or violence. Being open access, the European Journal of Psychotraumatology is also evidence of ESTSS’ stand on free accessibility of research publications to a wider community via the web. The European Journal of Psychotraumatology seeks to attract contributions from academics and practitioners from diverse professional backgrounds, including, but not restricted to, those in mental health, social sciences, and health and welfare services. Contributions from outside Europe are welcome. The journal welcomes original basic and clinical research articles that consolidate and expand the theoretical and professional basis of the field of traumatic stress; Review articles including meta-analyses; short communications presenting new ideas or early-stage promising research; study protocols that describe proposed or ongoing research; case reports examining a single individual or event in a real‑life context; clinical practice papers sharing experience from the clinic; letters to the Editor debating articles already published in the Journal; inaugural Lectures; conference abstracts and book reviews. Both quantitative and qualitative research is welcome.