Posttraumatic Stress DisorderPOWER-NETNCT03737383
Treating Violence-related PTSD and Substance Risk in Low-income, Urban Adolescents
A study testing Narrative Exposure Therapy in people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders, run by State University of New York at Buffalo at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This project will provide initial feasibility and efficacy data for the implementation of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) to urban, at-risk youth. Posttraumatic stress and substance use outcomes, as well as participant responses to the intervention, will be examined. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Use Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Narrative Exposure Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 124 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2017to 31 Aug 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Adolescents (ages 16-25),
- Positive PTSD diagnosis (CAPS diagnosis)
- Positive lifetime incidence of interpersonal violence-related trauma.
Who cannot join
- Actively suicidal with an immediate referral to the community agency crisis staff
- Severe cognitive delay
- Active psychosis
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University at Buffalo Department of Psychology
Buffalo, New York, 14260
About this study
This project will provide initial feasibility and efficacy data for the implementation of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) to urban, at-risk youth. Posttraumatic stress and substance use outcomes, as well as participant responses to the intervention, will be examined.
Read the detailed description
The goal of the proposed study is to gather preliminary feasibility and efficacy data for an innovative intervention (Narrative Exposure Therapy: NET) to promote adolescent mental health related to interpersonal trauma (IPT). Among those at highest risk for interpersonal violence and its sequelae are youth from urban, low-resourced neighborhoods. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common outcome associated with IPT. Substance misuse (SUB) is a frequent concomitant of PTSD. NET is a promising intervention to reduce PTSD symptoms and associated psychological distress, via the supported reconstruction (narrative telling) of the traumas. NET has a critical advantage over existing PTSD treatments in that it can be delivered in a brief format, in community settings where at-risk adolescents are likely to be found. Despite its promise in treating adolescent distress, NET has yet to be tested as an intervention for those who have interpersonal trauma-related PTSD. Further NET's influence on SUB has not been examined.
Accordingly, the objective of this project is to conduct a pilot study (N=30) to estimate NET treatment effects on PTSD symptoms and SUB in IPT-exposed urban adolescents (ages 16-21). Both feasibility and preliminary efficacy data will be collected to serve as pilot work for a larger-scale NIH proposal. Recruitment and intervention will be set within community partners where the adolescents already are connected and are receiving social or psychological services. Outcome data will be collected at: (T0) Baseline, and at 1(T1), and 3 months (T2) follow-up assessments. Participant responses to the intervention will be assessed post-intervention. Change in PTSD, SUB will be estimated with effect sizes and inferential tests. Preliminary evidence of efficacy and feasibility will pave the way for further NET development to offer a patient-oriented, community-based, intervention that will promote adolescent mental health for those at greatest risk for health access and outcomes disparities.
- Being tested
- Narrative Exposure Therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Substance-Related Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Narrative Exposure TherapyBehavioural
Also called NET
brief, trauma-focused treatment.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy | Experimental | We will be administering Narrative Exposure Therapy to determine participant responses to the intervention, whether the intervention can be delivered successfully in this setting, and preliminary outcomes. Receives: Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version
assessed via PTSD checklist. The minimum score for this measure is 0 while the maximum is 80. Higher scores indicate more severe PTSD symptoms.
Measured: At baseline, at 1 month follow up, and at 3 month follow up
Secondary outcomes (2)
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
alcohol use assessed via AUDIT. The minimum score for this measure is 0 while the maximum is 40. Higher scores indicate more alcohol use.
Measured: Only 1 participant finished the follow up for 1 month and 3 month (they are a different participant).
Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ)
alcohol consequences assessed via YAACQ. The minimum score for this measure is 0 while the maximum is 48. Higher scores indicate more alcohol consequences.
Measured: Only 1 participant finished the follow up for 1 month and 3 month (they are a different participant).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Nov 2018
- Study start1 Dec 2017
- Primary completion31 Aug 2021
- Study completion31 Aug 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Posttraumatic Stress DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by State University of New York at BuffaloThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 124 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York at Buffalo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jennifer Read, State University of New York at Buffalo
- Investigators
- Stephen Tiffany, Ph.D., Study chair, University at Buffalo
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03737383
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 00000298
- Other IDs
- UL1TR001412
- Acronym
- POWER-NET
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Jan 2018
- Last updated
- 15 May 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: We will share a de-identified data set which will include baseline demographics and trauma, PTSD, and drinking outcomes.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Treating Violence-related PTSD and Substance Risk in Low-income, Urban Adolescents
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03737383
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- POWER-NET / 00000298
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 124 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York at BuffaloUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Nov 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 15 May 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This project will provide initial feasibility and efficacy data for the implementation of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) to urban, at-risk youth. Posttraumatic stress and substance use outcomes, as well as participant responses to the intervention, will be examined.
Detailed description
The goal of the proposed study is to gather preliminary feasibility and efficacy data for an innovative intervention (Narrative Exposure Therapy: NET) to promote adolescent mental health related to interpersonal trauma (IPT). Among those at highest risk for interpersonal violence and its sequelae are youth from urban, low-resourced neighborhoods. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common outcome associated with IPT. Substance misuse (SUB) is a frequent concomitant of PTSD. NET is a promising intervention to reduce PTSD symptoms and associated psychological distress, via the supported reconstruction (narrative telling) of the traumas. NET has a critical advantage over existing PTSD treatments in that it can be delivered in a brief format, in community settings where at-risk adolescents are likely to be found. Despite its promise in treating adolescent distress, NET has yet to be tested as an intervention for those who have interpersonal trauma-related PTSD. Further NET's influence on SUB has not been examined.
Accordingly, the objective of this project is to conduct a pilot study (N=30) to estimate NET treatment effects on PTSD symptoms and SUB in IPT-exposed urban adolescents (ages 16-21). Both feasibility and preliminary efficacy data will be collected to serve as pilot work for a larger-scale NIH proposal. Recruitment and intervention will be set within community partners where the adolescents already are connected and are receiving social or psychological services. Outcome data will be collected at: (T0) Baseline, and at 1(T1), and 3 months (T2) follow-up assessments. Participant responses to the intervention will be assessed post-intervention. Change in PTSD, SUB will be estimated with effect sizes and inferential tests. Preliminary evidence of efficacy and feasibility will pave the way for further NET development to offer a patient-oriented, community-based, intervention that will promote adolescent mental health for those at greatest risk for health access and outcomes disparities.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy | Experimental | Behavioral: Narrative Exposure TherapyWe will be administering Narrative Exposure Therapy to determine participant responses to the intervention, whether the intervention can be delivered successfully in this setting, and preliminary outcomes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Adolescents (ages 16-25),
- Positive PTSD diagnosis (CAPS diagnosis)
- Positive lifetime incidence of interpersonal violence-related trauma.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Actively suicidal with an immediate referral to the community agency crisis staff
- Severe cognitive delay
- Active psychosis
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative Exposure TherapyAlso: NETbrief, trauma-focused treatment. | Behavioural | Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy |
Primary outcome
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version
Time frame: At baseline, at 1 month follow up, and at 3 month follow up
assessed via PTSD checklist. The minimum score for this measure is 0 while the maximum is 80. Higher scores indicate more severe PTSD symptoms.
2 secondary outcomes
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Time frame: Only 1 participant finished the follow up for 1 month and 3 month (they are a different participant).
Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ)
Time frame: Only 1 participant finished the follow up for 1 month and 3 month (they are a different participant).
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 May 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. We will share a de-identified data set which will include baseline demographics and trauma, PTSD, and drinking outcomes.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Stephen Tiffany, Ph.D. study chair
University at Buffalo
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Narrative Exposure Therapy in people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders, run by State University of New York at Buffalo at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 15 May 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (time frame: At baseline, at 1 month follow up, and at 3 month follow up). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 May 2026.