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Brief Transdiagnostic Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in South Africa

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Interventions
Behavioral: False Safety Behavioral Elimination Treatment (FSET)
Behavioral: Enhanced Standard Care
Registration Number
NCT06289621
Lead Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the use of a brief transdiagnostic treatment for anxiety disorders and (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in South Africa. The intervention will be delivered by non-specialist providers (e.g., nurses) in primary care clinics. The brief intervention group will be compared to an enhanced standard care control group.

Detailed Description

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and a leading cause of disability in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the development of evidence-based treatments (EBTs), an overwhelming majority of those in need (i.e., 85%) in LMICs do not receive treatment and, when they do, it is not empirically based. Despite the clear need for EBTs in LMICs, there are three primary barriers associated with the implementation of EBTs in these areas. These barriers include: (1) EBTs tend to be single disorder focused only treating one disorder at a time, (2) they are long in duration (e.g., 12-16 treatment sessions to treat one disorder), and (3) they tend to be complex and require a high level of skill to administer. Given the low availability of highly trained providers in LMICs, using an approach that is brief, culturally congruent, and less complex than typical EBTs is ideal for reducing these barriers. The current study aims to evaluate the use of a brief transdiagnostic treatment for anxiety disorders and PTSD (False Safety Behavior Elimination Treatment; F-SET) in South African primary care clinics. The current study is a Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial assessing the effectiveness of the adapted brief transdiagnostic intervention and to explore facilitators and barriers to implementation. The adapted intervention is being compared to an enhanced standard care control condition.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participants diagnosed with a primary anxiety disorder (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Participants who are acutely suicidal, have severe alcohol of substance use disorder, or are engaged in another form of psychotherapy.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Anxiety Disorders and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Transdiagnostic Treatment ( FSET)False Safety Behavioral Elimination Treatment (FSET)The anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) transdiagnostic treatment (FSET) is brief, 5-session, cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to treat symptoms associated with anxiety disorders and PTSD. The treatment is administered by lay providers (e.g., nurses) in primary care clinics in South Africa.
Enhanced Standard Care GroupEnhanced Standard CareThe enhanced standard care group is the condition. Those in the enhanced standard care control group will receive standard care plus referrals. Upon completion of the study, they will be offered the anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment (FSET).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for the DSM-5 (CAPS)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Diagnostic assessment assessing the presence or absence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)pre-treatment, immediately after the last treatment session, and 3-month follow-up

General measure of anxiety. Scores range from 0 to 21 with higher scores indicating greater level of anxiety.

Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 (SCID-5)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Diagnostic assessment assessing the presence or absence of a mental health diagnosis.

Work Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Assessment of functional impairment. Scores range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher levels of functional impairment.

Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Measure of anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 63 with higher scores indicating greater levels of anxiety.

Safety Aid Scale (SAS)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Assessment of safety aid utilization and avoidance in anxiety disorders and PTSD. Higher scores indicate greater safety aid utilization.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Post-traumatic Disorder Checklist (PCL-5 PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

PTSD symptom measure. Scores range from 0 to 80 with higher scores indicating greater level of post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Measure of emotional distress. Scores range from 0 to 20 with higher scores indicating greater emotional distress.

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Measure of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 63 with higher scores indicating greater levels of depression.

Anxiety Sensitivity Index -3pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately after the last treatment session), and 3-month follow-up

Assessment of anxiety sensitivity. Scores range from 0 to 72 with higher scores indicated higher levels of anxiety sensitivity.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Stellenbosch University

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Cape Town, South Africa

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