Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child (ERRT-C)

Untreated trauma-related nightmares and sleep-related disorders are associated with chronic health problems, burdening both the suffering individual and the health-care system. The study implements an innovative, cost-efficient, nightmare treatment for trauma-exposed children. It is the first randomized clinical trial with children, adapting an efficacious adult therapy to a 5-session nightmare treatment for 5-17 year-olds. Trauma nightmares are a mechanism in development and maintenance of secondary post-trauma psychopathology, medical problems and family dysfunction. Therefore, this treatment may prevent long-term secondary health and behavioral problems. It provides a viable healthcare option to Oklahomans, lessening long-term financial medical and behavioral health expenses. Scientific models currently view PTSD treatment as primary, often leaving nightmares untreated. That approach does not address the pernicious impact of trauma-nightmares in individuals with sub-threshold PTSD or whose nightmares are a primary condition. The theoretical innovation of this therapy can advance the field's understanding of the development of trauma sequelae.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Nightmares Associated With Trauma and Stress
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Oklahoma
    • Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, 74104
      • The University of Tulsa Institute for Trauma Abuse and Neglect

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 5 years to 17 years (CHILD)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• children age 5-17 with traumatic or potentially traumatic/adverse experiences and nightmares occurring at least once per week over a minimum of one month
• have a parent or legal guardian who is able to participate in treatment assignments at home and be able to read and speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

• adult, no traumatic experience, no nightmares, apparent psychosis, pervasive developmental disorder, or mental retardation, not able to read and speak English
• in order to ensure the verbal comprehension of the child, the PPVT will be used to help evaluate if a child is suitable for treatment, as an index to ensure they can verbally comprehend the cognitive component of treatment

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: CROSSOVER
• Masking: SINGLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Behavioral; Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child utilizes behavioral and cognitive therapy techniques of exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring.	Behavioral: Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy-Child; Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) will be conducted once a week for five consecutive weeks for approximately two hours per session. Each treatment session focuses on one of the following topics/skills: psycho-education and investment in treatment, psycho-education, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing,child-friendly exposure to the trauma-nightmare, and rescription.
NO_INTERVENTION: Waitlist Control; All potential participants will be evaluated and some will be randomly placed in the control group, following the five-week treatment phase, participants in the control group will be re-evaluated and offered the treatment

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Trauma Related Nightmare Survey - Child Version (TRNS-C) Reflecting change in nightmare frequency, severity, and duration.	The TRNS-C is a 14-item self-report measure that assesses current sleep quality, frequency, severity, and duration of nightmares, as well as cognitions, emotions, and behaviors related to nightmares in children.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
University of California at Los Angeles Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) (UPID)	The UPID screens for trauma exposure and posttraumatic symptoms among youth 7 to 18 years old. Queries types of trauma exposures, assesses for DSM-IV criteria of traumatic exposure and the past-month frequency of PTSD symptoms and 2 associated features of PTSD in childhood.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)	The RCADS is a 47-item scale that corresponds to the DSM-IV anxiety disorders and it incorporates a sub scale for major depression. There is a six-factor structure with the following sub scales: Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Nightmare Distress Questionnaire - Modified (NDQ)	The NDQ is a 13-item self-report measure of nightmare related distress. Higher scores are significantly related to interest in therapy for nightmares.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)	The PSQI is a 19-item self-report measure of sleep quality and disturbance. It queries sleep quality and disturbances over the last month. Seven component scores are generated from this measure including: subjective sleep quality, latency, duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep problems, use of sleep medications, and daytime dysfunction.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - Child Version (SDQ)	The SDQ is a self-report instrument designed for completion by 11-16 year-olds. Specifically, children respond to 25 attributes (emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer relationships, and prosocial behaviors).	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6-18 (CBCL/6-18)	The CBCL can be completed by parents or parent-surrogates. It consists of 20 items that provide information regarding a child's competencies; 118 items assess both behavioral and emotional problems; and two open-ended questions for reporting additional problems.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5 (CBCL/1.5-5)	The CBCL can be completed by parents or parent-surrogates. It consists of 99 items that assess both behavioral and emotional problems; and open-ended questions for reporting additional problems.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)	The CSHQ is a 33-item parent-report measure of sleep behavior that can be used by parents of children 4 to 12 years of age. A total score is derived from items from 8 sub scales: Bedtime Resistance, Sleep Onset Delay, Sleep Duration, Sleep Anxiety, Night Wakings, Parasomnias, Sleep-Disordered Breathing, and Daytime Sleepiness.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - Parent Version (SDQ)	The SDQ has two parent versions designed for 4-10 year-olds and 11-16 year-olds. Specifically, parents respond to 25 attributes (emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer relationships, and prosocial behavior).	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
The Parenting Stress Scale (PSS)	The PSS is an 18-item measure that assesses stress related to parenting (e.g., "I am happy in my role as a parent," "Having child(ren) has been a financial burden").	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - Parent self-report (PSQI)	Similar to the child version, the adult form of the PSQI is a 19-item self-report measure of sleep quality and disturbance. It queries sleep quality and disturbances over the last month. It will serve as an index of secondary gain from treatment by way of parent's improved sleep quality and quantity.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
The McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD)	The FAD is a 53-item measure that identifies seven dimensions of family functioning: Problem Solving, Communication, Roles, Affective Responses, Affective Involvement, Behavior Control, and General Functioning.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Parent Form (BRIEF)	The BRIEF is an 86-item measure that assesses different aspects of executive function behaviors in the home environment. There are eight different scales of executive function assessed within the measure.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Child Behavior Checklist - Teacher Form (CBCL-TR)	This form of the CBCL is to be completed by the child's teacher. It consists of 20 items that provide information regarding a child's competencies within school; 113 items that assess both behavioral and emotional problems; and one open-ended question for reporting additional problems.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks.
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Teacher Form (BRIEF)	The BRIEF is an 86-item measure that assesses different aspects of executive function behaviors in the school. There are eight different scales of executive function assessed within the measure.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks.
Child Attention Network Task (Child ANT)	This is a computerized game that assesses attention. This measure presents a single fish or five fish in a horizontal row. Children are asked to respond to the center fish by pressing the left or right button on the computer mouse in the direction in which the fish is pointing.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Trail Making Test	The Trail Making Test is a measure of visual attention and task switching. The test has two parts in which the child is instructed to connect a set of 25 dots as fast as possible while maintaining accuracy.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Animal Sorting	This subtest from the "A Developmental NEuroPSYchological Assessment" (NEPSY) assesses the ability to formulate basic concepts, to transfer those concepts into action, and to shift set from one concept to another.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Auditory Attention and Response Set	This subtest from the NEPSY has two parts. The Attention Auditory assesses selective auditory attention and the ability to sustain it. The Response Set assesses the ability to shift and maintain a new and complex set involving both inhibition of previously learned responses and correctly responding to matching or contrasting stimuli.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Clocks	This subtest from the NEPSY assesses planning and organization, visuoperceptual and visuospatial skills, and the concept of time related to analog clocks.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Actiwatch-2 Wrist Monitor	This device is the size of a wristwatch. It records movement, which can be used to better understand sleep quality and sleep cycles. If also has a button for tracking nightmares. It is not a requirement of the study to wear the actigraph.	The wrist actigraph will be worn between session for a specified amount of time. The actigraph will be worn continously during the loan period except for swimming, other continous water sports, and bathing.
Letter-Number Sequencing	This subtest on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) assesses attention, short-term memory, and processing speed. The child will listen to a sequence of letters and numbers and then process, recall, repeat and manipulate these letters and numbers.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
Digit span	This subtest of the WISC IV will be used to assess short-term memory, attention and concentration. The child participant will be asked to repeat numbers in the same order as read aloud by the examiner and in reverse order as read by the examiner.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
R-CBM	The Reading Curriculum Based Measurement of the Aimsweb reading system will be used as a measure of a child's oral reading skill and speed. This measure was designed to assess general reading achievement and comprehension. For each administration of an R-CBM probe, the child will read a passage aloud for one minute. Words that are mispronounced, substituted, omitted or read out of sequence that the child does not self-correct within three seconds are to be recorded as errors.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.
MAZE	The Standard Reading Comprehension Assessment Passages (MAZE-CBM) subtest of the Aimsweb Measurement System will be used in conjunction with the R-CBM, as a supplemental measure to provide a more complete picture of the child's general reading skill and speed. This measure was designed to corroborate a child's general reading achievement and comprehension score of the R-CBM. The MAZE probe is a multiple choice cloze task that the child reads silently. The first sentence of a 150-400 word paragraph is left intact. Thereafter, every seventh word is replaced with three words inside parentheses and the child will choose the word that correctly completed the sentence.	Participants will be assessed immediately after treatment which occurs on average for 5 weeks, and then will be assessed for followups at 3 months and 6 months post treatment.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Tulsa
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Lisa Cromer, Phd, The University of Tulsa

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Child Nightmare Study Facebook Information Page
• Dr. Lisa Cromer's research webpage and contact information

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: October 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): November 1, 2016
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): November 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 22, 2013
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): January 28, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): December 5, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 1, 2022
• Last Verified: December 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: PTSD; trauma; sleep; children; cognitive behavior therapy; stress; nightmare
• Other Study ID Numbers: TU 11-63RI