This study looks at a treatment program for children and teens who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after sexual abuse. The program is called II-TF-CBT. It is a special version of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people process trauma. II-TF-CBT is used with patients who stay in the hospital during treatment.
Researchers want to know if II-TF-CBT helps young patients recover as well as, or better than, standard outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment means patients visit the clinic but do not stay overnight.
The study compares two groups. One group of 42 patients received II-TF-CBT during a hospital stay. The other group of 33 patients received standard outpatient treatment. Patients needing inpatient care were placed on an admission waiting list and admitted as their turn came; the remaining patients continued outpatient follow-up. Group placement therefore happened naturally, without researcher intervention.
Doctors measured each patient's PTSD symptoms and related problems before treatment, after treatment, and at a follow-up visit. This will help show whether inpatient TF-CBT-based care can help children and teens recover from trauma.