A mean difference of -11.22 in symptom severity scores was observed between intervention and control groups at the 1-month follow-up.
Sleep disturbances are common among South African adolescents with PTSD.
Both the intervention and control groups showed a significant decrease in sleep quality over time, indicating no overall effect of the sleep intervention.
PTSD symptom severity decreased more in the intervention group than in the control group following treatment, suggesting potential efficacy.
The dropout rate was higher than expected, with 32% in the intervention group and 26.7% in the control group.
Dropouts were primarily due to school commitments or travel-related issues.
Findings indicate a trend toward improved sleep quality and decreased PTSD symptoms, warranting further research.
Simplified
Trauma exposure prevalence and consequent post-traumatic stress disorder among South African adolescents are significant. Sleep disturbances are among the most frequently reported difficulties faced by those dealing with . The current study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the South African Adolescence Group Sleep Intervention on PTSD symptom severity and sleep disturbance.Sixty-one adolescents with PTSD diagnoses and sleep disturbance were randomly assigned (1:1) to one individual and four group sessions of a sleep intervention (SAASI) or a control group. Participants completed the Child PTSD symptom scale for DSM5 (CPSS-5) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index () among other sleep and psychiatric measures. The trial was registered on the Pan African Trial Registry (PACTR202208559723690).There was a significant but similar decrease in PSQI scores in both groups over time indicating no overall intervention effect (Wald test = -2.18,= .029), mean slope = -0.2 (95% CI: -0.37 to -0.02) (= .583). On the CPSS-5, interaction between groups was also not significant (p = .291). Despite this overall finding, the mean difference in CPSS-SR-5 scores increased over time, with the difference between groups post-treatment -9.10 (95%CI: -18.00 to -0.21),= .045 and the 1-month follow-up contrast - 11.22 (95%CI: -22.43 to -0.03),= .049 suggesting that PTSD symptom severity decreased more in the intervention group than the control group. The dropout rate was higher than expected for both the intervention (= 10; 32%) and control (= 8; 26.7%) groups. Dropout were mostly school commitments or travel related.Early findings suggest a trend towards dual improvement in sleep quality and PTSD symptom severity in adolescents with a sleep disturbance and PTSD receiving a group sleep intervention (SAASI). Further investigation in a properly powered RCT with detailed retention planning is indicated. Background: Method: Results: Conclusions: p p p p n n
Key numbers
16.7%
Decrease in Diagnosis
Post-intervention diagnosis rates for intervention group
10 of 31
Dropout Rate
Dropout rate in the intervention group
8 of 30
Dropout Rate
Dropout rate in the control group
Full Text
We can’t show the full text here under this license.
