IPT-A for Adolescents With PTSD Symptoms

New York State Psychiatric Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: PTSD

Treatments: Behavioral: Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03795818

7717

Details and patient eligibility

About

In the present study, the investigators propose to 1) adapt Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) as an intervention for adolescents who report elevated symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for PTSD; and 2) conduct a small open pilot study of IPT-A for PTSD. Ten adolescents ages 13 to 18 who meet DSM-5 criteria for a PTSD diagnosis or have elevated symptoms of PTSD (Child PTSD Symptom Scale [CPSS-5] ≥ 31) will be treated with 14-16 weeks of an adapted version of IPT-A. If participants have evidenced a decrease in PTSD symptoms (CPSS-5 < 31) they will also receive 3 months of once a month maintenance treatment and be assessed by a clinician evaluator at the conclusion of the 3 monthly sessions. If participants have not evidenced a decrease in PTSD symptoms (CPSS-5 ≥ 31), they will be referred for alternative treatments in the community and be assessed by a clinician evaluator 3 months following the completion of IPT-A. All evaluations and therapy sessions will be done over telehealth platform until able to be done in person.

Full description

Please see the brief summary for study description.

Enrollment: 9 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 13 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Adolescents who meet criteria for DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD or have elevated PTSD symptoms
2. English speaking adolescent and parent
3. Males and Females ages 13-18 years
4. Mild to moderate impairment in functioning

Exclusion criteria

1. Severe impairment in functioning
2. Diagnoses of substance abuse, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, primary eating disorder, psychotic symptoms
3. Engagement in significant self-injurious behavior in the past 3 months
4. Active suicidality - presence of plan and/or intent
5. Intellectual disability or severe learning disability
6. Medical illness that may interfere with treatment
7. Current physical or sexual abuse
8. Open Administration for Children's Services (ACS) case
9. Currently receiving treatment for depression and/or PTSD or have begun a medication trial for another diagnosis within the previous three months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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9 participants in 1 patient group

IPT-A

Other group

Description:

Interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) is a psychosocial treatment for adolescents. It has been shown to be effective for adolescents with depression. It is now being studied as to its benefit for adolescents who meet criteria for PTSD or have subthreshold PTSD symptoms.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents