Immunological Changes Through Narrative Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Torture Victims

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: PTSD
• Interventions: Behavioral: NET

• Registration Number: NCT01206790
• Lead Sponsor: University of Konstanz

Brief Summary

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with poor health, high health care utilization, and an increased risk for a variety of somatic, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Research, including our own findings, indicates immunological alterations in PTSD patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether alterations in the immune system of PTSD patients are reversible through a trauma-specific short-term therapy (Narrative Exposure Therapy).

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-06
• Study First Submitted: 2010-09-21
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-09-21
• Study First Posted: 2010-09-22
• Primary Completion: 2011-05
• Study Completion: 2012-01
• Status Verified: 2012-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-02-21
• Last Update Posted: 2012-02-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 47

Inclusion Criteria

• PTSD diagnosis
• experiences of organized violence/torture

Exclusion Criteria

• psychotic disorder
• chronic inflammatory diseases

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)	NET	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
PTSD diagnosis and severity score according to the Clinicians Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)	4 month after completion of treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
changes in immunological parameters	4 months after completion of treatment

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Konstanz, Department of Psychology; 🇩🇪 Konstanz, Germany