Understanding Treatments for Pediatric PTSD

This study is testing different ways to help children and teenagers (ages 8-17) who have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a traumatic event. Researchers want to see which treatment parts work best and how they help. The treatments being studied include Emotion Regulation, Exposure, Cognitive Processing, and Bi-lateral Stimulation. There's also a Psychological Placebo, which is supportive therapy without focusing on past trauma. The study will measure changes in PTSD symptoms using questionnaires like the CAPS-CA, CPSS, and CATS-2 at the beginning and after 19 weeks of treatment. To join, you must be 8-17 years old, have PTSD from a trauma, and have a caregiver's permission. The current status of the study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 200 participants.

Study design
This interventional study will compare different combinations of behavioral therapies to a psychological placebo. It plans to enroll 200 participants.
What's involved
You will receive different combinations of treatments and attend weekly treatment sessions. You will also provide information to help evaluate changes in PTSD symptoms.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your PTSD symptoms will be measured at the beginning of the study and again after 19 weeks of treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06956781

Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) for Treating Pediatric Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Recruiting
NAAges 8–17InterventionalTreatment
University of Rochester
~200 participants
Updated 2026-04-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Emotion RegulationExposureCognitive ProcessingBi-lateral StimulationPsychological Placebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mean Change in PTSD Symptoms - Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 - Child/Adolescent Version (CAPS-CA)
Measured over Baseline (pre-treatment), Week 19 (post-treatment)
+2 more outcomes measured
PTSD
Trauma
Pediatric ALL
1 sites across 1 states
New York1
  • Chad E Shenk, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Rochester

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Mean Change in PTSD Symptoms - Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 - Child/Adolescent Version (CAPS-CA)Baseline (pre-treatment), Week 19 (post-treatment)

    The CAPS-CA is a clinician-administered diagnostic interview measuring the severity of PTSD symptoms in the past month. The interview assesses 20 PTSD symptoms according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria with each symptom rated on a severity scale ranging from 0 to 4. Ratings for each individual symptom are summed with higher scores indicating greater severities of PTSD symptoms (total scores range from 0-80).

  • Mean Change in PTSD Symptoms - Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 (CPSS)Baseline (pre-treatment), Week 19 (post-treatment)

    The CPSS is a child-report survey measuring the severity of PTSD symptoms in the past month. Survey items assess 20 PTSD symptoms according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria with severity ratings for each item ranging from 0-4. Ratings for each individual symptom are summed with higher scores indicating greater severities of PTSD symptoms (total scores range from 0-80).

  • Mean Change in PTSD Symptoms - Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS-2)Baseline (pre-treatment), Week 19 (post-treatment)

    The CATS-2 is a caregiver-reported survey measuring the frequency of pediatric PTSD symptoms in the past four weeks. Survey items assess 20 PTSD symptoms according to DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria with frequency ratings for each item ranging from 0-3. Ratings for each individual item are summed with higher scores indicating greater frequencies of PTSD symptoms (total scores range from 0-60).