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Preventing posttraumatic stress following pediatric injury: a randomized controlled trial of a web-based
Meghan L Marsac1, Aimee K Hildenbrand, Kristen L Kohser
1PhD, Center for Injury Research and Prevention, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St., Suite 1150, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. marsac@email.chop.edu.
Insights
A web-based intervention (AfterTheInjury.org) is feasible for parents of injured children. While it improved knowledge, it did not significantly reduce child or parent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Digital Health Interventions
- Trauma Recovery
Background:
- Pediatric injuries can lead to significant emotional distress for children and parents.
- Effective interventions are needed to support parents during their child's recovery.
- Web-based tools offer a scalable approach to delivering support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and efficacy of AfterTheInjury.org (ATI), a web-based intervention.
- To evaluate ATI's impact on parental knowledge and child/parent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
- To explore parental engagement with digital health tools post-discharge.
Main Methods:
- 100 parent-child dyads were randomized to ATI or usual care.
- Intervention involved directed use of ATI during hospitalization.
- Efficacy measured by parent knowledge and PTSS at 6-week follow-up.
Main Results:
- High completion rates for ATI during hospitalization.
- 56% of parents used ATI post-discharge, with 100% finding it helpful.
- Immediate increase in parent knowledge, but no significant long-term impact on knowledge or PTSS.
Conclusions:
- Web-based interventions are feasible for parents of injured children.
- Brief educational interventions may not be sufficient alone for preventing psychological symptoms.
- Further research is needed to enhance the long-term efficacy of digital interventions for pediatric trauma recovery.
Objective:
The study objective is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a web-based intervention for parents (AfterTheInjury.org [ATI]) in promoting emotional recovery following pediatric injury.
Methods:
100 children with injuries requiring medical attention and their parents were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care. Efficacy outcomes included parent knowledge and child and parent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
Results:
All parents in the intervention group completed the intervention (directed use of ATI) in the hospital. 56% reported using ATI online post-discharge, and 100% of these parents found it helpful. Parent knowledge increased immediately post-intervention, but there was no significant intervention impact on parent knowledge or PTSS at a 6-week follow-up. Relationships between knowledge and PTSS were identified.
Conclusions:
Brief web-based interventions introduced during child hospitalization are a feasible strategy to reach many parents following pediatric injury. Preventing psychological symptoms may require more than parental education alone.
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