Citation (APA style): Stapleton, P., Sandstrom, U., Hamne, G. (2018). Evaluating a 3-week model for reducing symptoms of stress in traumatized youth using the Trauma Tapping Technique (TTT) for self-help: A pilot trial. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 3(4). doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804036
Abstract
Background: This pilot trial investigated whether a 3-week self-help model for stress reduction using the Trauma Tapping Technique (TTT) would impact traumatized youth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on post-traumatic stress symptoms and general happiness. It also focussed on the acceptability of the program to recipients and implementation in a community with complex trauma and conflict.
Methods: The study involved 77 youth who received a TTT 3-week model of intervention (self-applied). Post traumatic stress symptoms and general happiness were assessed pre and post the intervention and at 6-month follow-up.
Results: TTT was associated with a significantly greater improvement in happiness (12.12% increase, p less than 0.05) and a significant reduction in trauma symptomology from pre- to immediately post-test (6% decrease, p less than 0.05). The 6-month results were nonsignificant (p=0.056) however from pre to follow-up, participants indicated an 11.4% reduction in their trauma symptoms. The qualitative investigation of staff and participants revealed the intervention had a positive effect on trauma stress symptoms and happiness outcomes findings.
Conclusions: The proposal that a 3-week model of teaching emotional literacy via a self help technique such as TTT is a potential solution for complex communities is discussed, and suggestions for future large scale trials are offered.
Keywords: Trauma; youth; tapping; stress; post traumatic stress; peer-to-peer; self-help; self-regulation; emotional literacy; psychosocial support
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OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2018, Volume 3, Issue 4 doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804036
