Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42858309›Full record

ArticlePsychotherapy and psychosomatics2026

Dismantling Psychological Interventions for Youth with Complex Trauma: A Systematic Review and Component Network Meta-Analysis.

Yu Li, Junkai Feng, Wanyan Hu, Zhuo Zeng, Qian Pan, Jun Wang, Muyang Li, Thomas Elbert, Anke Karl, Yinyin Zang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Yu LiSchool of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interface and Mental Health Modulation, Beijing, China.
Junkai FengSchool of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interface and Mental Health Modulation, Beijing, China.
Wanyan HuSchool of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interface and Mental Health Modulation, Beijing, China.
Zhuo ZengSchool of Health Humanities, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Qian PanSchool of Health Humanities, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Jun WangSchool of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interface and Mental Health Modulation, Beijing, China.
Muyang LiSchool of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interface and Mental Health Modulation, Beijing, China.
Thomas ElbertDepartment of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
Anke KarlDepartment of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Yinyin ZangSchool of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interface and Mental Health Modulation, Beijing, China, yinyin.zang@pku.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionComplex trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbidities pose a significant mental health burden in children. However, the comparative effectiveness of psychological interventions and shared therapeutic components remains unclear.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review, network, and component network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions for children and adolescents with complex trauma. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library were searched up to September 2024. PTSD was the primary outcome; retention and comorbid symptoms (depression, anxiety, dissociation, externalizing problems) were secondary outcomes.

resultsForty-eight studies (6,017 participants) were included in this review. Multimodal group interventions (SMD -1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.04 to -0.32), phase-based trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) with parental involvement (-1.12, -1.53 to -0.70), TF-CBT (-1.06, -1.59 to -0.52), non-TF-CBT with parental involvement (-0.93, -1.70 to -0.17), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (-0.85, -1.60 to -0.10), and phase-based TF-CBT (-0.79, -1.20 to -0.39) significantly reduced PTSD. Exposure emerged as the only significantly effective component for PTSD (-0.85, 95% credible interval [CrI] -1.60 to -0.06). Efficient component combinations included affective modulation with a therapeutic foundation of psychoeducation and nonspecific elements for PTSD (-0.97, 95% CrI -1.92 to -0.01) and exposure plus parental involvement with the same foundation for depression (-2.11, 95% CrI -4.06 to -0.20).

conclusionTrauma-focused approaches were the most effective treatments for pediatric PTSD and emotional comorbidities related to complex trauma. A more cost-effective intervention approach may prioritize exposure techniques, incorporate affective modulation, and include parental involvement when feasible.

Indexed as

AdolescentsComplex traumaComponent network meta-analysisPosttraumatic stress disorderPsychological interventions

Identifiers

PMID42858309
PMCPMC13685637

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.