Healing the invisible wounds: A narrative review of trauma-focused interventions for war-affected children and adolescents

This narrative review provides an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on trauma-focused interventions, including EMDR therapy,  for children and adolescents impacted by war and armed conflict.

Article Abstract

“War and armed conflict have profound and lasting psychological consequences for children and adolescents, significantly increasing their risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. This narrative review provides an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on trauma-focused interventions for this vulnerable population. A systematic search of eight databases (2019–2025) identified 10 high-quality reviews. Findings confirm that structured, evidence-based interventions—including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and school-based programs—effectively reduce trauma-related symptoms. Critical themes underscore the importance of cultural and contextual adaptation, the effectiveness of multi-tiered care systems, and significant gaps in long-term follow-up and functional outcome measurement. While digital interventions show promise for improving accessibility, their efficacy is enhanced by guided support. This review concludes that effective trauma care must move beyond a sole focus on symptom reduction to embrace a holistic, culturally grounded, and sustainable approach that prioritizes local capacity building and integration within broader support systems. Evidence-based recommendations are provided to guide researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.”

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Asgari, Z. (2025). Healing the invisible wounds: A narrative review of trauma-focused interventions for war-affected children and adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 19(2), 317-328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-025-00802-1