Trial Outcomes & Findings for Randomized Control Trial on Trauma Focused CBT in Zambia (NCT NCT01624298)

NCT ID: NCT01624298

Last Updated: 2024-08-09

Results Overview

The PTSD-RI assesses specific traumatic events a child has experienced or witnessed, and the associated mental health symptoms to such stressors. PTSD-RI can range from a score of 0 on the scale to a score of 4 on the scale. Higher scores are associated with greater symptomatology. The psychometric properties have been extensively demonstrated in the US and Internationally. The PTSD RI has also been translated into three local Zambian languages (Nyanja, Bemba and Tonga) and validated in Zambia in Johns Hopkins University faculty preliminary studies.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

257 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline and Follow-up within one month of treatment completion. For controls follow up was 4 months post baseline.

Results posted on

2024-08-09

Participant Flow

Recruitment began August 15, 2012 and ran until August 1, 2013. Recruitment was done at 5 community organizations located in Lusaka Zambia.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Wait List Control Group
The wait list control group will be asked to wait for approximately 4 1/2 months before being reassessed and then, unless found to be ineffective or harmful, receive the intervention being provided by the counselor.
Intervention Group
Children randomized into the intervention group will immediately receive the Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a trained counselor for 12 weeks. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a therapy that helps children/youth ages 5-18 years and their families who have been affected by traumatic events and/or traumatic grief. Components include psychoeducation, relaxation, affective modulation, cognitive processing, Trauma Narrative (gradual exposure), In-vivo exposure, Con-joint session, and Enhancing safety skills. Youth and caregivers are seen once a week for approximately 12 weeks.
Overall Study
STARTED
126
131
Overall Study
COMPLETED
104
106
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
22
25

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Randomized Control Trial on Trauma Focused CBT in Zambia

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Wait List Control Group
n=126 Participants
The wait list control group will be asked to wait for approximately 4 1/2 months before being reassessed and then, unless found to be ineffective or harmful, receive the intervention being provided by the counselor.
Intervention Group
n=131 Participants
Children randomized into the intervention group will immediately receive the Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a trained counselor for 12 weeks. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: TF-CBT (www.musc.edu/tfcbt) is a therapy that helps children/youth ages 5-18 years and their families who have been affected by traumatic events and/or traumatic grief. Components include psychoeducation, relaxation, affective modulation, cognitive processing, Trauma Narrative (gradual exposure), In-vivo exposure, Con-joint session, and Enhancing safety skills. Youth and caregivers are seen once a week for approximately 12 weeks.
Total
n=257 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
13.29 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.99 • n=99 Participants
14.02 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.78 • n=107 Participants
13.66 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.90 • n=206 Participants
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
121 Participants
n=99 Participants
122 Participants
n=107 Participants
243 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
5 Participants
n=99 Participants
9 Participants
n=107 Participants
14 Participants
n=206 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
65 Participants
n=99 Participants
63 Participants
n=107 Participants
128 Participants
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
61 Participants
n=99 Participants
68 Participants
n=107 Participants
129 Participants
n=206 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Zambia
126 participants
n=99 Participants
131 participants
n=107 Participants
257 participants
n=206 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and Follow-up within one month of treatment completion. For controls follow up was 4 months post baseline.

The PTSD-RI assesses specific traumatic events a child has experienced or witnessed, and the associated mental health symptoms to such stressors. PTSD-RI can range from a score of 0 on the scale to a score of 4 on the scale. Higher scores are associated with greater symptomatology. The psychometric properties have been extensively demonstrated in the US and Internationally. The PTSD RI has also been translated into three local Zambian languages (Nyanja, Bemba and Tonga) and validated in Zambia in Johns Hopkins University faculty preliminary studies.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Wait List Control Group
n=104 Participants
The wait list control group will be asked to wait for approximately 4 1/2 months before being reassessed and then, unless found to be ineffective or harmful, receive the intervention being provided by the counselor.
Intervention Group
n=106 Participants
Children randomized into the intervention group will immediately receive the Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a trained counselor for 12 weeks. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: TF-CBT (www.musc.edu/tfcbt) is a therapy that helps children/youth ages 5-18 years and their families who have been affected by traumatic events and/or traumatic grief. Components include psychoeducation, relaxation, affective modulation, cognitive processing, Trauma Narrative (gradual exposure), In-vivo exposure, Con-joint session, and Enhancing safety skills. Youth and caregivers are seen once a week for approximately 12 weeks.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- Reaction Index (RI)
Baseline
1.75 trauma score
Standard Deviation 0.44
1.88 trauma score
Standard Deviation 0.51
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- Reaction Index (RI)
Post Assessment
1.38 trauma score
Standard Deviation 0.66
0.34 trauma score
Standard Deviation 0.43

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and follow-up within one month of treatment completion. For controls follow up was done 4 months post baseline.

Population: Only participants with complete data were included in this analysis.

Potentially risky sexual activity and substance use and abuse will be measured using the World AIDS Foundation (WAF) survey Risk Reduction Scale, developed and used with adolescents in South Africa. This measure was adapted for use in Zambia. Score range 8-16. Higher scores indicate feeling more empowered to perform risk reduction intentions, higher scores indicate a better outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Wait List Control Group
n=10 Participants
The wait list control group will be asked to wait for approximately 4 1/2 months before being reassessed and then, unless found to be ineffective or harmful, receive the intervention being provided by the counselor.
Intervention Group
n=4 Participants
Children randomized into the intervention group will immediately receive the Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a trained counselor for 12 weeks. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: TF-CBT (www.musc.edu/tfcbt) is a therapy that helps children/youth ages 5-18 years and their families who have been affected by traumatic events and/or traumatic grief. Components include psychoeducation, relaxation, affective modulation, cognitive processing, Trauma Narrative (gradual exposure), In-vivo exposure, Con-joint session, and Enhancing safety skills. Youth and caregivers are seen once a week for approximately 12 weeks.
Risk Reduction as Assessed by the World AIDS Foundation (WAF) Risk Reduction Scale
Baseline
0.7 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.4
0.9 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.1
Risk Reduction as Assessed by the World AIDS Foundation (WAF) Risk Reduction Scale
Post Assessment
0.8 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.4
0.2 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and follow-up within one month of treatment completion. For controls follow up was done 4 months post baseline.

Population: Only participants with complete data were included in this analysis.

The CBCL consists of eight empirically-based syndrome subscales. The range of subscale scores (summed) are: Aggressive Behavior (0-36), Anxious/Depressed (0-26), Attention Problems (0-20), Rule-Breaking Behavior (0-34), Somatic Complaints (0-22), Social Problems (0-22), Thought Problems (0-30), and Withdrawn/Depressed (0-16). Score range 0-206. The higher score suggests the more severe symptoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Wait List Control Group
n=5 Participants
The wait list control group will be asked to wait for approximately 4 1/2 months before being reassessed and then, unless found to be ineffective or harmful, receive the intervention being provided by the counselor.
Intervention Group
n=8 Participants
Children randomized into the intervention group will immediately receive the Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a trained counselor for 12 weeks. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: TF-CBT (www.musc.edu/tfcbt) is a therapy that helps children/youth ages 5-18 years and their families who have been affected by traumatic events and/or traumatic grief. Components include psychoeducation, relaxation, affective modulation, cognitive processing, Trauma Narrative (gradual exposure), In-vivo exposure, Con-joint session, and Enhancing safety skills. Youth and caregivers are seen once a week for approximately 12 weeks.
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Score
Baseline
36.8 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 13.0
77.8 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 48.7
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Score
Post Assessment
2.4 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.4
15.8 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 14.6

Adverse Events

Wait List Control Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Intervention Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Stephanie Skavenski

Johns Hopkins University

Phone: +260966674841

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place