NET for SGBV Survivors in Eastern DR Congo

University of Konstanz

Status: Completed

Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Shame

Treatments: Behavioral: Social Support; Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT02989987

SGBV1617

Details and patient eligibility

About

Throughout the last 10 years Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) has evolved as one of the most effective, culturally sensitive trauma interventions. In the present study the effectiveness of NET delivered by trained health personnel in a sample of survivors of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) who suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will be assessed. Structured baseline, 3 and 6 month follow up interviews will be administered to assess the main outcome measures PTSD and shame. The trial will take place in Goma, DR Congo, where SGBV and its sequelae has been a major problem.

Full description

Participants will be recruited through local NGOs and eligible clients randomized to the treatment (NET; app. N=100) or treatment-as-usual control (app. N=100) group, respectively. At baseline, 3-month and 6-month post-treatment, sociodemographic data, trauma exposure - esp. SGBV, PTSD, dissociation, shame, functionality and depression will be assessed in a structured interview. The interviews will be conducted by blind Congolese psychological interviewers after an intensive 3-weeks training and continuous supervision.

Enrollment: 201 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 16 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• SGBV survivors (event happened more than 4 weeks ago)
• PTSD diagnosis (DSM-5)

Exclusion criteria

• Acute psychosis
• Signs of cerebro-organic disease
• Acute drug or alcohol intoxication

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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201 participants in 2 patient groups

Narrative Exposure Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

According to the NET manual (one lifeline session and 7 exposure sessions; see Schauer et al. 2011).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy

Treatment-as-usual

Active Comparator group

Description:

Social support (provided on demand)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Social Support