O031 The feasibility and efficacy of combined treatment for primary school-aged children with posttraumatic stress disorder and sleep disturbance

Abstract Introduction One in three primary school aged children will experience trauma, such as exposure to death, injury, or violence, with up to 77% reporting sleep disturbances. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) is the primary treatment but does not specifically address sleep issues. Adequate sleep is essential for consolidating adaptive safety beliefs and engaging in fear extinction. Without addressing sleep, treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder in children may be less effective. Treating sleep first can build rapport, improve memory consolidation and emotional regulation, and enhance engagement and confidence. Research in adults shows significant trauma symptom improvement following sleep treatments. Methods This study assesses the feasibility and efficacy of an integrated treatment for trauma-exposed children (5-12 years; n = 25) with sleep disturbances. The open trial includes 10 one-hour sessions and a 3-month follow-up. The first four sessions focus on CBT-I for sleep, followed by six TF-CBT sessions for trauma. Feasibility and efficacy will be evaluated using Bowen’s Feasibility Study Framework. Results Preliminary analysis of three participants after CBT-I (mid-treatment) shows a one-hour increase in total sleep time, but no significant change in PTSD symptoms. One participant who completed therapy showed significant symptom reduction on both the CBCL and CSHQ, with scores below the clinical cut-off post-treatment. Conclusion Initial findings suggest that CBT-I effectively increases total sleep time, though does not have an impact on PTSD symptoms. Further data collection and analysis with a larger sample size are necessary to substantiate these findings.