Alliance, Therapeutic, Motivation
Conditions
Keywords
PTSD, animal-assisted therapy, trauma-focused therapy, motivation
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALAnimal-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.
BEHAVIORALStandard trauma-focused therapy
Standard trauma-focused therapy (AA TF-CBT) is a standardized trauma therapy following a structured manual.
Sponsors
University of Zurich
University of Basel
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
9 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change of Therapy Motivation of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. | before treatment (baseline), after 10 weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up) | Therapy motivation is assessed using the validated Situational Motivation Scale for Children (SMS-15, Skalski, 2019). The SMS-15 consists of 15 items answered with a 7 point likert scale. The total score equals the ratings of the 15 items on the scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome (increased motivation), lower scores mean a worse outcome (decreased motivation). The questionnaire assesses the motivation from the perception of the child. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change of Therapeutic alliance of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. | before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up) | Therapeutic alliance is assessed using the german adaptation of the Therapeutic Alliance Scales for Children (TASC). The TASC consists of 12 items, answered with a 4 point likert scale. The total score equals the ratings of the 12 items on the scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome (increased alliance), lower scores mean a worse outcome (decreased alliance). The questionnaire assesses the therapeutic alliance from the perception of the child. |
| Change of PTSD symptoms of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. | before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up) | PTSD symptoms are assessed using the validated Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen 2 (CATS 7-17, Version 2.0; Sachser et al., 2022). The questionnaire consists of 20 items, answered on a 4 point likert scale. The total score equals the ratings of the 20 items on the scale. Higher scores mean a worse outcome (increased PTSD symptoms), lower scores mean a better outcome (decreased PTSD symptoms). The questionnaire assesses the PTSD symptoms from the perception of the child as well as from the caregivers perception. |
| Change of Self-efficacy of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. | before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up) | Self-efficacy will be assessed via the validated Questionnaire on Resources in Child-/and Adulthood (FRKJ 8-16, Lohaus, Nussbeck, 2016). The questionnaire consists of 60 items answered on a 4 point likert scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome (increased self-efficacy), lower scores mean a worse outcome (decreased self-efficacy). The questionnaire assesses self-efficacy from the perception of the child. |
| Change of Quality of Life of children and adolescents from baseline to four weeks after treatment. | before treatment (baseline), after ten weeks of treatment (post-measurement), four weeks after treatment (follow-up) | Quality of Life is assessed using the validated Inventory for the Assessment of Quality of Life for Children and Adolescents (ILK, Mattejat & Remschmidt, 2006). The questionnaire consists of 9 items answered on a 5 point likert scale. Lower scores mean a better outcome (increased quality of life), higher scores mean a worse outcome (decreased quality of life). The questionnaire assesses quality of life from the perception of the child. |
| Qualitative assessment of participants' perception of the group therapy at follow-up. | four weeks after treatment at follow-up | Participants perception is assessed at follow-up using a semi-structured interview. |
Countries
Switzerland
Contacts
Primary ContactKarin Hediger, Prof. Dr.
Backup ContactWanda Arnskötter, MSc.
Outcome results
None listed