None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This project aims to evaluate massed delivery of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) for refugees with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The research questions/hypotheses that this study seeks to address are: Does massed NET reduce PTSD symptoms in refugee participants? Is massed NET feasible and acceptable to refugee participants? We hypothesize that massed NET will be feasible and acceptable to refugee participants, and will result in significant reductions in PTSD symptoms.
Interventions
The intervention used in this trial will be Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). NET comprises 7 sessions of therapy (1.5 hours each session), delivered one-on-one over a 3-week period, Session frequency and separation will determined by client preference, however it is anticipated that sessions would usually be separated by at least one day (e.g. a session on Monday would be followed by a session on Wednesday or Thursday). In Session 1, participants’ symptoms are normalized and participants learn
The intervention used in this trial will be Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). NET comprises 7 sessions of therapy (1.5 hours each session), delivered one-on-one over a 3-week period, Session frequency and separation will determined by client preference, however it is anticipated that sessions would usually be separated by at least one day (e.g. a session on Monday would be followed by a session on Wednesday or Thursday). In Session 1, participants’ symptoms are normalized and participants learn about the psychological effects of trauma for refugees. Participants create their Lifeline, denoting significant positive and traumatic events. In Sessions 2-7, participants’ autobiographical narrative is constructed, key traumatic events are identified and processed. NET is the leading evidence-based trauma-focused intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugees and has been evaluated in more than 20 studies. Psychologists trained in the delivery of Narrative Exposure Therapy will facilitate the intervention. Trial therapists will undergo specific training in delivering all treatment sessions including the use of a protocol-based treatment manual. The following protocols will be followed to ensure close therapeutic compliance with the treatment manuals used for both the intervention and control conditions: (i) therapists will receive regular clinical supervision; (ii) participant attendance will be recorded by the clinician as part of routine care; (iii) the treatment manuals will be used in all treatment sessions; (iv) with participant consent, all treatment sessions will be video recorded and 10% will be randomly selected and rated for therapist adherence to the manual.
Sponsors
University of New South Wales
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for participants taking part in this study include: (a) 18+ years, (b) from a refugee or asylum seeker background, (c) able to speak and read Arabic, Farsi, and/or English (d) PTSD diagnosis (as determined by the PSS-I-5 at Pre-Treatment Assessment)
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria for those who are not eligible to participate in the study include: (a) participants that do not meet the inclusion criteria (b) imminent suicide risk or with expressed acute needs/protection risks (e.g., a woman who reports that she is at acute risk of domestic and/or sexual violence), (c) severe mental disorder (psychotic disorders, substance-dependence), (d) severe cognitive impairment (e.g., severe intellectual disability, dementia or traumatic brain injury), (e) concurrent psychological treatment (e.g., currently receiving weekly or fortnightly psychological services from a therapist) (f) no access to smart phone/laptop with camera and internet connection in order to attend Zoom appointments.
Outcome results
None listed