Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Refugees, Trauma, Narrative, Exposure, Middle East, Therapy
Brief summary
This interventional, randomized controlled study tests the effects of a a brief psychological intervention (Narrative Exposure Therapy) against a wait list control group among refugees who have experienced trauma and have some symptoms of PTSD.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALNarrative Exposure Therapy
3, 1-1/2 hour sessions, individual, meeting weekly.
Sponsors
Wayne State University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Refugees from the Middle East, and possible from Africa, who have experienced conflict-related trauma, have symptoms of PTSD, and speak either Arabic or English
Exclusion criteria
* Currently received exposure therapy for PTSD * Planning to leave area in next 4 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Post traumatic stress disorder symptoms: Harvard Trauma Questionnaire | Baseline to 4 months. | The number and severity of post traumatic stress disorder symptoms will be assessed using an Arabic adaptation of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire will be administered at baseline prior to randomization and 4 months from baseline (about three months from last intervention session). Questions assess symptoms over the preceding one week. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depression symptoms: Beck Depression Inventory II | Baseline to 4 months. | Depression symptoms will be assessed using an Arabic translation of the Beck Depression Inventory II. The scale will be administered at baseline prior to randomization, and 4 months from baseline (about three months from last intervention session). The questions assess symptoms over the preceding two weeks. |
| Quality of sleep: Karolinska Institute Sleep Questionnaire | Baseline to 4 months | Quality of sleep will be assessed using an Arabic translation of five items from the Karolinska Institute Sleep Questionnaire. The scale will be administered at baseline prior to randomization, and 4 months from baseline (about three months from last intervention session). The questions don't specify a time frame for the symptoms. |
| Physical symptoms: Patient Health Questionnaire | Baseline to 4 months | Physical symptoms will be assessed using an Arabic translation of the Patient Health Questionnaire at baseline prior to randomization, and 4 months from baseline (about three months from last intervention session). Questions assess symptoms over the preceding 4 weeks. |
| Post traumatic growth: Post Traumatic Growth Inventory | Baseline to 4 months | Positive and growth outcomes sometimes experienced by people who have experienced traumatic events will be assessed using an Arabic translation of the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory. The scale will be administered at baseline prior to randomization, and 4 months from baseline (about three months from last intervention session). The questions do not specify a time frame. |
| General Psychological Well-being: WHO Well-being Index | Baseline to 4 months | Markers of mental well-being such as positive mood, vitality and interest will be assessed using the Arabic version of the World Health Organization's Well-being Index. The scale will be administered at baseline prior to randomization, and 4 months from baseline (about three months from last intervention session). The questions assess functioning in the preceding two weeks. |
| Daily functioning | Baseline to 4 months | Daily functioning is assessed using 8 items developed by the Primary Investigator in collaboration with other colleagues. The items assess areas such as spending time with family and friends, utilizing health, immigration, language, and employment services, and participating in religious and social activities. The scale will be administered at baseline prior to randomization, and 4 months from baseline (about three months from last intervention session).The questions assess functioning over the preceding 4 weeks. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed