Treatment Effects of Introducing the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics in a Norwegian Residential Treatment Facility for Children Aged 7–13

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) in child and adolescent psychiatric care, addressing a gap in current clinical methodologies that tend to focus on single problems rather than the interconnected nature of many real-life mental health issues. The study was conducted in a residential setting over an extended period, including children aged 7–13, to observe the effects of implementing NMT. The children presented with complex symptoms and multiple diagnoses. The methods incorporated the NMT approach, emphasizing individualized treatment plans based on each child’s unique brain development, and aimed at addressing multiple, interconnected problems simultaneously. Results from multilevel model analyses of behavioral difficulties, measured using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), revealed substantial improvements in treatment effectiveness post-NMT implementation. Despite the limitations, such as a non-randomized participant selection and limited sample size, the findings strongly suggest that NMT enhances care effectiveness in real-world clinical settings, particularly for children with complex mental health issues. The study concludes that relationally oriented milieu therapy, and specifically the NMT approach, holds great promise for advancing pediatric psychiatric care, advocating for its broader application and further research to refine and substantiate its efficacy.