Trauma-focused treatments for refugee children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of KIDNET versus EMDR therapy versus a waitlist control group (KIEM)
Trials, vol. 23, pp. 347
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugees is reportedly higher in comparison to the general population. Refugee children specifically are often coping with trauma and loss and are at risk for mental health difficulties. With staggering numbers of people seeking refuge around the world and 50% being 18 years or younger, research examining the effects of trauma-focused therapies for refugee children with PTSD is highly needed. Both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and the child version of Narrative Exposure Therapy (KIDNET) have been used for refugees, although these treatment methods have not been systematically compared. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of EMDR and KIDNET, compared to a waitlist control group and with each other, offered to refugee children. METHODS: A randomized controlled three-arm trial has been designed. The primary outcome is PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children DSM5 (CAPS-CA-5) at baseline (T1), 1 month post-treatment, or after 8 weeks of waiting (T2) and 3 months follow-up (T3). Additionally, instruments to assess posttraumatic stress symptoms, behavioral and emotional problems, and quality of life perception in children aged 8-18 are conducted at T1, T2, and T3. DISCUSSION: This is the first RCT that examines the effectiveness of EMDR and KIDNET in refugee children aged 8-18 years specifically, compared to a waitlist control group intended to reduce PTSD diagnosis and severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms and comorbid complaints in a growing and challenging population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NL40769 . Retrospectively registered on June 16, 2021.
Authors 7
-
Merel E. Velu corresponding
Utrecht University · Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum'45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands. m.velu@centrum45.nl
Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.velu@centrum45.nl
ARQ Centrum’45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
-
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum'45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
ARQ Centrum’45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
-
Mona K. Shahab Aachen Department of Clinical Psychology Department of Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center
Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · King Salman Center for Disability Research
Affiliation as printed
Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
Department of Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
King Salman Center for Disability Research, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
-
Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Affiliation as printed
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
-
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum'45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
ARQ Centrum’45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
-
Utrecht University · Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum'45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
-
Utrecht University · Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group
Affiliation as printed
ARQ Centrum'45, partner in ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Cited by 8 stored of 8
8 results
No patents citing this paper on Lens.org (checked 2026-10-11).