Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder by Trained Lay Counsellors in an African Refugee Settlement

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Trauma Counselling; Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy

• Registration Number: NCT00550056
• Lead Sponsor: University of Konstanz

Brief Summary

The study is a pragmatic trial to study the efficacy of two active methods of psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in a refugee camp in Africa. Treatment was administered by lay counsellors.

Detailed Description

Traumatic stress due to conflict and war causes major mental health problems in many resource-poor countries, especially those coping with displaced populations. There is a lack of intervention research in these populations.

Te purpose of this study was to examine whether trained lay counsellors can carry out effective treatment of PTSD in a refugee settlement.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2003-01
• Study Completion: 2004-04
• Status Verified: 2007-10
• Study First Submitted: 2007-10-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-10-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2007-10-25
• Study First Posted: 2007-10-26
• Last Update Posted: 2007-10-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 277

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder

Exclusion Criteria

• Drug abuse
• Psychosis
• Mental retardation

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2	Trauma Counselling	TC
1	Narrative Exposure Therapy	NET

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms measured with the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale	9 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Expert diagnosis of PTSD established with CIDI interview	9 months
Physical health symptoms assessed with a checklist	9 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Nakivale Refugee Camp; 🇺🇬 Mbarara, Uganda