Developing Innovative PTSD Treatment for Children

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children is a serious mental health problem that can develop after exposure to traumatic events such as war, violence, displacement, accidents, loss of loved ones, or abuse. PTSD in children is associated with intrusive memories, nightmares, physiological hyperarousal, avoidance of reminders, irritability, concentration difficulties, and impairments in family life, schooling, and social relationships. Although evidence-based psychological treatments exist for adults, there remains a major gap in effective, developmentally appropriate, and scalable interventions for children.

The Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) Protocol™ is a brief, non-pharmacological intervention originally developed for adults with PTSD. It is based on cognitive and neurobiological models of memory reconsolidation and dissociation. The RTM Protocol™ uses imagery to help individuals safely reprocess traumatic memories through a series of dissociative and imaginative steps (e.g., replaying memories in black-and-white, running them backwards, speeding them up). This process reconsolidates the traumatic memory in a less distressing form, leading to a rapid reduction in flashbacks, nightmares, and distress responses. The RTM Protocol™ in adults has demonstrated strong clinical effectiveness across several clinical trials, with high acceptability and minimal risk of re-traumatisation.

The children's version of the RTM Protocol™ (RTM-C Protocol) retains the essential procedural components of the adult method but is carefully adapted to meet developmental needs. Adaptations include:

* Child-friendly language and explanations. * The use of play-based and imaginative exercises. * Animated instructional videos and a cardboard "cinema" and "skreen" models to guide children through visualisation steps. * Additional therapist strategies for emotional support, grounding, and engagement. * Structured parental involvement before, during and after treatment sessions.

RTM-C Protocol™ is designed to reduce post-traumatic symptoms without requiring children to recount painful details. It is therefore less burdensome and carries minimal risk of retraumatisation compared with traditional trauma-focused exposure therapies.

Study design and stages. This pilot study involves a mixed-methods evaluation. A single-arm pilot with approximately 40-48 children, each treated by one of 20-24 trained RTM Protocol specialists. Children will complete six RTM-C Protocol sessions (plus parental sessions and diagnostic follow-ups). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-treatment, 1 month, and 6 months after treatment. Qualitative feedback will also be collected from specialists through structured focus groups.

Intervention procedures. RTM-C Protocol involves six structured sessions with the child, preceded by a parent session and followed by diagnostic follow-ups (at 1 month and 6 months after treatment), with both children and parents, to assess sustained outcomes.

Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and follows a detailed, structured protocol. Animated instructions and cardboard "cinema" and "skreen" models are used as supportive tools only when verbal instructions are insufficient. Therapists are trained to avoid unnecessary use of tools that could prolong the session or burden the child. Children are rewarded at the end of sessions with small positive reinforcements (stickers, drawings, short games) to enhance engagement.

Therapist training and fidelity. All providers are certified RTM specialists. They receive additional one-day training in the RTM-C Protocol. Fidelity is supported through the use of protocol texts, animations, and visual tools, and monitored by session checklists and coaching. Feedback from therapists on usability, language, and feasibility will be used to refine the protocol before larger rollout.

Safety considerations. The RTM-C Protocol emphasises "stress-free recall." Children are not asked to provide detailed verbal descriptions of traumatic events. The therapist interrupts immediately if distress arises and redirects the child's focus to a safe, neutral task. Work with traumatic material proceeds only once the child has demonstrated the ability to switch states reliably during practice (clear disengagement from imagery, reorientation to the present, ability to make eye contact, relaxed affect). These safeguards minimise the risk of re-traumatisation.

Data collection and measures. The study uses the CATS-2 (Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen) as the primary outcome measure, administered to both children and parents. The CATS-2 provides scores for PTSD symptoms and functional impairment in relationships, learning, leisure, and happiness. Additional brief questionnaires and structured interviews will assess acceptability and feasibility from both families and providers. Data will be collected at baseline, post-treatment, and at 1- and 6-month follow-ups.

Data protection. All identifying information is anonymised using codes. Personal data are securely stored in locked cabinets and password-protected computers in Ukraine. Anonymised datasets may be transferred via secure, certified platforms. Only trained RTM specialists have access to identified data. Researchers analyse only anonymised data.

Scientific hypothesis. The study hypothesises that the RTM-C Protocol will significantly reduce PTSD symptoms in children, with effects maintained at 1- and 6-month follow-ups, and that children, parents, and therapists will find the intervention safe, acceptable, and feasible.

Significance. If effective, the RTM-C Protocol will provide an innovative, scalable, and low-burden treatment for PTSD in children. It could address a major unmet need in child mental health, particularly in humanitarian and post-conflict contexts. The pilot study in Ukraine is a first step toward larger implementation and evaluation, and findings will contribute to global knowledge on child-appropriate trauma interventions.