Online Therapist-Assisted Program Reduces Posttraumatic Stress in Injured Children

Physical injury in children often carries a heavy psychological burden, with nearly 50% of patients experiencing posttraumatic stress symptoms that can persist long after surgical or orthopedic recovery. While trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is established as a first-line treatment for pediatric distress, significant barriers to access often prevent timely intervention in acute care settings [1, 2]. Standardized protocols for managing pain and sedation are routine in inpatient units, yet the systematic addressing of long-term psychological sequelae remains a challenge for many trauma centers [3]. Recent evidence suggests that digital and school-based adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively bridge this gap by providing flexible, task-shifted care to vulnerable populations [4, 5, 6]. To address this clinical gap, a recent randomized clinical trial evaluated a therapist-assisted online program designed to mitigate posttraumatic stress symptoms in the immediate wake of pediatric hospitalization.