The Study of Trauma and Recovery (STAR)
An NIHR-funded multi-site randomised controlled trial that evaluated if TF-CBTp is safe, acceptable and effective for trauma survivors with distressing psychosis
What did the STAR trial investigate?
Stressful or traumatic events are common, and can have a lasting impact. Trauma talking therapy is recommended for people who are experiencing difficulties due to such events.
Small studies have shown that it is safe and can be helpful for people with problems like voices, visions, and sensations, or worries about being unsafe or persecuted. However, people with these kinds of problems are rarely offered trauma talking therapy in the NHS.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended a large study to evaluate this therapy in the NHS, to fill a major gap in treatment availability.
The Study of Trauma and Recovery (STAR) trial was a large multi-site randomised controlled trial with 305 people taking part across 5 NHS areas in England.
Our aim was to find out if this integrated trauma therapy is helpful for a range of problems.
We compared people who get their usual care with people who have the therapy on top of their usual care, and followed them up over time.