Web-Based Supportive Psychotherapy to Prevent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Cross Sectional Study on the Iranian National Under-14 Girls’ Football Team After Nepal Earthquake in 2015

Abstract

Background: Earthquakes are devastating natural disasters. When an earthquake occurs during a significant event, such as Asian football confederation (AFC) under-14 girls’ regional championship in Nepal (2015), all catastrophic casualties should be taken into account, including mental side effects on young sensitive groups. The present paper aimed to report risk-reduction activities for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 18 young members of the Iranian football team. Methods: Distant location of the team members persuaded the team physician to use Internet-based social applications for supportive psychotherapy during 1 year after the shock. The child report of posttraumatic symptoms (CROPS), along with the parent report of posttraumatic symptoms (PROPS), was used to collect data from players and their parents. No randomization (except for replications) was applied and no control group was recruited in this study. Results: The results showed that some of the girls had acute stress symptoms and were prone to acute stress disorder if left unattended. The average CROPS score was 20.06 (SD, 2.48) in the second week, which decreased to 1.33 (SD, 1.29) after 1 year. Similar results in the sixth and twelfth months showed that the girls could reach a stable mental status using online supportive psychotherapy. Conclusions: Despite lack of access to patients, use of supportive psychotherapy is still possible. Online meetings can help psychologists follow the stages of treatment accurately. The results of CROPS showed that it is possible to provide psychotherapy support through online discussions with patients.