Sharing HaRT in New Expanses: Evaluating the Move With HaRT Intervention on Improving Mental Health of Human Trafficking Survivors

Despite significant mental health challenges experienced by human trafficking survivors, a lack of research on effective interventions exists. The proposed parallel cluster randomized control trial aims to evaluate the mental health impact of Move with HaRT with human trafficking survivors in Uganda. Move with HaRT is a group-based intervention facilitated by paraprofessionals that includes breathwork, yoga poses, meditation, and discussions. The proposed study will use a parallel cluster randomized control (CRT) trial with 302 survivors randomized in groups to either Move with HaRT or Services as Usual. The main study aims are: 1) Determine effectiveness of the Move with HaRT intervention on PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms among survivors of human trafficking in Uganda; 2) Explore participant characteristics (e.g., age, trafficking history, food security) that may moderate the intervention effectiveness; 3) Understand potential barriers and facilitators to future implementation and scale-up. Surveys at baseline, endline, and 3-month follow-up assess mental health outcomes, as well as secondary outcomes on physical and social wellbeing. Qualitative research will inform barriers and facilitators to future implementation and scale-up. Results of this study have the potential to inform protection services in Uganda and beyond.