Treating children traumatized by war and Tsunami: A comparison between exposure therapy and meditation-relaxation in North-East Sri Lanka
C. Catani, Mahendran Kohiladevy, M. Ruf, Elisabeth Schauer, Thomas Elbert, Frank Neuner
BMC Psychiatry May 13, 2009 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-9-22 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized treatment comparison Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 31 |
| Population | Children with a preliminary diagnosis of PTSD in a refugee camp in north-eastern Sri Lanka affected by civil war and the 2004 tsunami |
| Interventions | Narrative Exposure Therapy for children (KIDNET) meditation-relaxation (MED-RELAX) |
| Duration | Six sessions; one month post-test and six month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT00820391 |
| Key points | Both KIDNET and meditation-relaxation reduced PTSD symptoms and functional impairment, with gains maintained at six months; recovery rates were 81% for KIDNET and 71% for MED-RELAX, with no significant difference between the two treatments. The authors conclude this provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of both interventions when delivered by trained local counselors after mass disasters. |
Abstract
BackgroundThe North-Eastern part of Sri Lanka had already been affected by civil war when the 2004 Tsunami wave hit the region, leading to high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children. In the acute aftermath of the Tsunami we tested the efficacy of two pragmatic short-term interventions when applied by trained local counselors.MethodsA randomized treatment comparison was implemented in a refugee camp in a severely affected community. 31 children who presented with a preliminary diagnosis of PTSD were randomly assigned either to six sessions Narrative Exposure Therapy for children (KIDNET) or six sessions of meditation-relaxation (MED-RELAX). Outcome measures included severity of PTSD symptoms, level of functioning and physical health.ResultsIn both treatment conditions, PTSD symptoms and impairment in functioning were significantly reduced at one month post-test and remained stable over time. At 6 months follow-up, recovery rates were 81% for the children in the KIDNET group and 71% for those in the MED-RELAX group. There was no significant difference between the two therapy groups in any outcome measure.ConclusionAs recovery rates in the treatment groups exceeded the expected rates of natural recovery, the study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of NET as well as meditation-relaxation techniques when carried out by trained local counselors for the treatment of PTSD in children in the direct aftermath of mass disasters.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00820391
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness for War Refugees: Communication of Preliminary Findings Trauma Care November 20, 2022
- Systematic Review for the Medical Applications of Meditation in Randomized Controlled Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 22, 2022
- Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience October 2, 2017
- Review: Effectiveness of mindfulness in improving mental health symptoms of children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. Child and Adolescent Mental Health November 2015
- Meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America July 1, 2014