Randomized Controlled Trial of Narrative Exposure Therapy Compared to Treatment as Usual for Traumatized Refugees

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy; Behavioral: treatment as usual

• Registration Number: NCT00218959
• Lead Sponsor: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Brief Summary

In this study we want to compare Narrative Exposure Therapy to Treatment as Usual for traumatized refugees and asylum seekers in the Mid- Norway region. Clinicians in psychiatric outpatient clinics will deliver the two conditions to asylum seekers and refugees that qualifies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. We will investigate if refugees and asylum seekers will improve more with Narrative Exposure Therapy or Treatment as Usual, and if there will be any differences between improvement for asylum seekers compared to improvement for refugees with residential status.

Detailed Description

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) will in a randomized controlled trial be compared to Treatment as Usual(TAU) for traumatized refugees and asylum seekers in the Mid- Norway region. Clinicians in psychiatric outpatient clinics in the region will deliver the two conditions to asylum seekers and refugees that qualifies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Each patient will receive 10 sessions of either NET or TAU. Assessment tools in the study will be MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Clinician Administered PTSD Scale and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Exclusion criteria will be psychosis, substance abuse and serious suicidal ideations. The age group in focus will be adults of 18 years or more. Refugees and asylum seekers from all countries will be accepted in the study, and there will be used qualified interpreters if the refugees do not speak English or Norwegian fluently.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-09
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-20
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-22
• Primary Completion: 2009-08
• Study Completion: 2009-08
• Status Verified: 2017-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-01-25
• Last Update Posted: 2017-01-27

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 81

Inclusion Criteria

• Refugee or asylum seeker
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis according to the DSM-IV criteria

Exclusion Criteria

• Psychosis
• Substance abuse
• Serious suicidal ideations

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Narrative Exposure Therapy	Narrative Exposure Therapy	carried out according to the manual as outlined by Schauer et al. (2005) (second revised edition 2011) 10 sessions of 90 min duration
treatment as usual	treatment as usual	mainly help with such as sleep problems, depressive symptoms, problems related to asylum status, and other practical matters. Focus on everyday issues and the limited focus on the traumatic events, in line with reports from the National Center on Violence and Traumatic Stress.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Clinician Administered PTSD Scale	before treatment, 1 month after, 6 months after

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D)	before treatment, 1 month after, 6 months after

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centre on violence, traumatic stress and suicide prevention - Mid Norway; 🇳🇴 Trondheim, Norway